BX  9521 

.R43  1908 

Reformed 

Church  in  ■ 

the 

United 

States. 

The  constitution  of 

the 

Reformed  church  in 

the 

the: 


CONvSTITUTION 


OF   THE 


Reformed  Church 


IN    THE 


United  States. 


Approved  by  the  General  Synod  of  AUentown, 
May,  1905. 


Adopted  by  the  Glasses. 


Declared  Adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  York, 
May,   1908. 


The  Publication  Board  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S. 

PHIL.AUIi:L.I>IIIA,    PA.. 


THE 

CONSTITUTION 

of  the 

Reformed    Church    in    the     United 

States. 


PREAMBLE. 

For  the  maintenance  of  truth  and  order  in 
accordance  with  the  Word  of  God,  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States  ordains  this 
Constitution  to  be  its  fundamental  law  for  gov- 
ernment, doctrine  and  worship,  and  declares  the 
same  to  have  binding  authority  on  all  its  mem- 
bers,  congregations   and   judicatories. 

Part  I. 
MEMBERS-CONGREGATIONS-OFFICES. 

Section  i. 

Members. 

Article  I.  All  baptized  persons  are 
members  of  the  Church,  under  its  care  and 
subject  to  its  government  and   discipline. 

Art.  2.     Persons  received  into  full  com- 
munion with  the  Church  by  confirmation, 
certificate,  or  renewal  of  profession  shall  be 
3 


regarded  as  communicant  members.  They 
shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privi- 
leges of  the  Church  and  can  be  deprived  of 
them  only  by  due  process  of  discipline. 

Art.  3.  Those  baptized  in  infancy  shall 
be  received  into  full  communion  with  the 
Church  by  confirmation,  and  unbaptized 
adults  by  baptism  and  confirmation.  In 
both  cases  they  shall  first  receive  proper 
instruction  in  the  truths  of  the  gospel  and 
give  satisfactory  evidence  of  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Art.  4.  Members  of  other  branches  of 
the  Christian  Church,  in  good  and  regular 
standing,  may  be  received  into  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Reformed  Church  by  certifi- 
cate of  dismission.  If,  however,  such  cer- 
tificate cannot  be  obtained,  they  may  be 
received  by  a  renewal  of  their  profession 
of  faith  in  Christ.  This  does  not  preclude 
the  Spiritual  Council  from  deciding  in 
either  case,  before  they  are  thus  received, 
whether  or  not  they  shall  be  instructed  in 
the  fundamental  truths  of  the  Christian 
religion  as  set  forth  in  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism. 

Art.  5.  Members  who  on  account  of 
change  of  residence  or  for  other  proper 
reasons  desire  to  change  their  membership 
from  one  congregation  to  another  congre- 
gation of  the  Reformed  Church,  shall  ob- 
4 


tain  a  certificate  of  dismission  and  as  soon 
as  possible  unite  with  the  other  congrega- 
tion. The  Spiritual  Council  dismissing 
them  shall  immediately  communicate  the 
fact  to  the  Spiritual  Council  of  the  congre- 
gation to  which  they  have  been  dismissed ; 
and  when  they  are  received  the  latter  shall 
promptly  notify  the  former  of  their  recep- 
tion. Members  dismissed  shall  be  amen- 
able to  the  congregation  dismissing  them 
until  they  shall  have  been  received  by  the 
other  congregation.  A  certificate  of  dis- 
mission shall  be  valid  for  only  one  year 
from  its  date. 

Art. (^6.  It  is  the  duty  of  church  mem- 
bers to  live  sober,  righteous  and  godly  lives, 
and  to  labor  faithfully  in  bringing  others 
to  Christ.  They  shall  obey  the  laws  and 
rules  of  life  prescribed  in  the  Word  of 
God  and  abide  by  the  Constitution  of  the 
Church,  and  contribute  liberally,  in  propor- 
tion to  their  means,  to  the  support  of  the 
gospel  and  for  the  extension  of  the  king- 
dom of  Christ.  Every  member  shall  attend 
faithfully  the  public  services  of  the  Church 
and  shall  engage  diligently  in  private  de- 
votions ;  and  those  who  have  been  confirmed 
shall  partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at  least 
once  a  year.  Parents  shall  give  special  at- 
tention to  the  Christian  training  of  the 
members  of  their  household. 


Section  2. 

Congregations. 

Art.  7.  A  congregation  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States  is  a 
body  of  Christians  accepting  the  Bible  as 
the  Word  of  God  and  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  as  its  standard  of  faith  and  doc- 
trine, and  organized  agreeably  to  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church. 

Art.  8.  Whenever  it  is  desired  to  or- 
ganize a  congregation,  those  persons  who 
are  willing  to  enter  into  such  organization 
shall  sign  the  following  memorial  and  ad- 
dress the  same  to  the  Classis  withii^  whose 
bounds  the  congregation  is  to  be  organ- 
ized : — 

"We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  affixed, 
desiring  to  be  organized  as  a  congregation, 
that  we  may  have  better  facilities  for  en- 
joying the  holy  ordinances  of  the  Christian 
Church,  do  hereby  petition  the  Classis  of 

to  organize  us  under  the  name  of 

congregation,     in     the     township 

(town,  or  city)    of ,  county  of 

and  State  of .,  and  de- 
clare our  readiness  to  be  governed  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in. 
the  United  States." 

Date Signed   

6 


If  the  Classis  approves  of  the  proposed 
organization,  it  shall  appoint  a  committee 
to  superintend  the  election  of  elders  and 
deacons,  and  to  induct  them  into  office. 
After  the  acts  thus  authorized  have  been 
performed  and  have  been  sanctioned  by 
the  Classis,  the  organization  shall  be  en- 
rolled as  a  regular  congregation  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 
If,  however,  local  conditions  require  it, 
a  congregation  may  be  duly  organized  by 
a  missionary,  or  a  minister  doing  mission- 
ary work,  acting  with  the  consent  of  the 
Classis  under  whose  jurisdiction  the  con- 
gregation is  to  be  received.  Application 
for  admission  to  Classis  must  be  made  as 
soon  as  possible  after  the  organization  is 
effected. 

A  congregation,  whether  independent  or 
belonging  to  another  denomination,  which 
conforms  to  the  requirements  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States,  may 
be  admitted  to  membership. 

Art.  9.  Whenever  a  congregation  de- 
sires to  become  an  incorporated  body,  a 
draft  of  the  proposed  articles  of  incorpora- 
tion and  the  constitution  of  the  congrega- 
tion shall  be  submitted  to  the  Classis  for 
approval  before  the  charter  is  presented  to 
the  civil  authorities.  A  charter  shall  not  be 
approved  that  does  not  bind  the  congrega- 
tion to  be  an  organic  member  of  the  Re- 
7 


formed  Church  in  the  United  States,  and 
to  be  governed  by  its  Constitution  and  laws. 
In  all  cases,  unless  there  are  legal  difficul- 
ties, the  Consistory  shall  in  the  charter  be 
constituted  the  trustees  of  the  congregation. 

Art.  10.  Each  congregation  shall  adopt 
a  Constitution  and  By-laws  for  its  own 
government.  Such  Constitution  and  By- 
laws must  be  in  accordance  with  its  charter 
and  with  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States. 

Art.  II.  Each  congregation  shall  hold 
an  annual  meeting.  The  Consistory  may 
call  a  special  meeting  of  the  congregation, 
and  shall  at  the  written  request  of  one- 
tenth  of  the  communicant  members  issue  a 
call  for  such  meeting  within  two  weeks 
after  the  request  has  been  received.  One 
week's  previous  public  notice  shall  be  given 
of  the  time,  place  and  purpose  of  a  special 
congregational  meeting.  A  full  and  ac- 
curate record  of  the  proceedings  of  all 
meetings  shall  be  kept. 

Art.  12.  To  the  trustees  shall  be  com- 
mitted the  care  and  control  of  the  property 
of  the  congregation,  whether  real  or  per- 
sonal, and  of  all  moneys  and  legacies.  They 
shall  hold  the  property  as  a  sacred  trust  for 
the  congregation,  keep  the  church  edifice 
and  other  buildings  belonging  to  the  con- 
gregation in  proper  repair,  and  prevent  the 
8 


use  of  the  house  of  God  for  improper  pur- 
poses. In  matters  of  a  general  nature,  such 
as  the  purchasing  or  selUng  of  property, 
the  borrowing  of  money,  and  the  remodel- 
ing or  erection  of  buildings,  the  trustees 
can  determine  nothing  finally  without  the 
consent  of  a  majority  of  those  communi- 
cant members  of  the  congregation  as- 
sembled at  a  meeting  called  for  the  pur- 
pose, of  which  meeting  at  least  two  weeks' 
previous  public  notice  shall  be  given. 

Art.  13.  Tiie  common  interests  of  two 
or  more  congregations  united  in  one  pas- 
toral charge  shall  be  committed  to  a  Joint 
Consistory,  composed  of  the  members  of 
the  Consistories  of  the  congregations  in- 
cluded in  the  charge.  A  congregation  shall 
not  withdraw  from  such  charge  without 
permission  of  Classis. 

Art.  14.  On  the  dissolution  of  a  con- 
gregation the  Classis  with  which  it  was 
connected  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  its 
members  and  transfer  them  to  the  congre- 
gation which  they  may  select.  Classis  also 
shall  have  charge  and  control  of  the  prop- 
erty of  said  dissolved  congregation,  if  the 
laws  of  the  State  do  not  forbid  it,  and  shall 
determine  any  case  of  discipline  begun  by 
the  Spiritual  Council  and  not  completed. 
And  if  a  congregation  shall  have  with- 
drawn from  connection  with  the  Reformed 
9 


Church  in  the  United  States,  the  official 
character  of  the  elders,  deacons  and  trus- 
tees shall  immediately  cease,  and  the  Classis 
to  which  it  belonged  shall  succeed  to  all 
rights,  powers  and  prerogatives  of  the 
trustees  touching  the  property,  real  and 
personal,  provided  such  successions  do  not 
conflict  with  the  civil  law. 

Section  3. 

Offices. 

Art.  15.     The  Offices  of  the  Reformed 
Church  are : 

1.  The  Office  of  Minister  of 
the   Word. 

2.  The  Office  of  Elder. 

3.  The  Office  of  Deacon. 


I.      MINISTERS   OF   THE   WORD. 

Art.  16.  A  Minister  of  the  Word  is  a 
member  of  the  Church,  called  by  Christ  to 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation,  and  ordained 
and  consecrated  by  prayer  and  the  laying 
on  of  hands  to  preach  the  gospel,  to  exer- 
cise pastoral  oversight,  to  dispense  the  holy 
sacraments,  in  conjunction  with  the  elders 
to  administer  Christian  discipline,  and  to 
give  himself  wholly  to  the  service  of  Christ 
in  His  Church. 

10 


Art.  17.  A  minister  receiving  a  call 
from  a  charge  and  accepting  the  same  shall 
present  said  call,  together  with  his  accept- 
ance of  it,  to  Classis  for  consideration ;  and 
if  the  call  is  confirmed,  provision  shall  be 
made  at  once  for  his  installation  as  pastor. 
A  call,  however,  shall  not  be  confirmed 
unless  it  provides  for  adequate  support  of 
the  pastor,  and  unless  the  salary  of  the  pre- 
ceding pastor  shall  have  been  paid  or  satis- 
factory arrangements  for  its  payment  have 
been  made ;  nor  shall  any  Classis  refuse  to 
confirm  a  call  unless  there  are  strong  rea- 
sons for  withholding  such  confirmation.  A 
minister  having  received  a  call  from  a 
charge  shall  not  move  into  it,  nor  perform 
pastoral  duties  in  it,  without  first  having 
obtained  the  consent  of  Classis.  Every 
pastor  shall  reside  wdthin  the  bounds  of  his 
charge,  unless  Classis  gives  him  permission 
to  reside  elsewhere. 

Art.  18.  Every  pastor,  or  the  secretary 
of  the  Consistory,  shall  keep  a  complete 
record  of  all  baptisms,  confirmations,  com- 
municants, receptions  by  certificate,  re- 
newals of  profession,  dismissions,  erasures 
of  names,  suspensions,  excommunications, 
marriages  and  deaths.  The  record  shall 
be  the  property  of  the  congregation. 

Art.  19.     A    pastor    desiring   to    resign 
his  charge  shall  lay  his  resignation  before 
11 


the  Consistory  or  Joint  Consistory,  which 
shall  take  action  on  it  as  soon  as  possible ; 
but  if  the  pastor  or  Consistory  desires  it, 
the  resignation  shall  be  laid  before  the  con- 
gregation or  congregations  for  action. 
The  resignation,  and  the  consequent 
action  of  the  Consistory,  or  of  the  congre- 
gation or  congregations,  shall  then  as  soon 
as  possible  be  laid  before  the  Classis  for 
action.  When  in  the  opinion  of  three- 
fourths  of  the  members  of  the  Consistory 
or  Joint  Consistory  the  welfare  of  the 
charge  requires  it,  the  Consistory  or  Joint 
Consistory  shall  make  a  written  request  to 
the  pastor  for  his  resignation.  If  the  pas- 
tor, or  the  Consistory  or  Joint  Consistory, 
desires  it,  the  request  shall  be  laid  before 
the  congregation  or  congregations  for  ac- 
tion. If  the  majority  of  the  congrega- 
tion or  congregations  sustains  the  request, 
the 'matter  shall  then  as  soon  as  possible  be 
referred  to  Classis  for  action.  But  if  the 
request  is  not  brought  before  the  congre- 
gation or  congregations,  the  matter  shall 
be  referred  directly  to  the  Classis.  A  pas- 
tor shall  not  leave  his  charge  before  his 
resignation  has  been  approved  and  the 
pastoral  relation  has  been  dissolved  by 
Classis. 

Art.  20.     A  minister  shall   not  officiate 
in  the  charge  of  another  minister  without 
his  consent ;  nor   shall   he   serve   a  vacant 
12 


congregation  or  charge  as  a  regular  supply 
without  the  consent  of  the  Classis  to  which 
the  congregation  or  charge  helongs.  He 
shall  be  a  member  of  the  Classis  within 
whose  bounds  he  resides,  unless  he  shall 
have  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  the 
ministry;  or  unless  he  is  connected  with 
an  Institution  or  a  Board  of  the  Church, 
in  which  case  he  may  be  a  member  of  any 
Classis  connected  with  the  Synod  or  Synods 
under  whose  care  or  by  whose  authority 
the  Institution  or  Board  acts. 

Art.  21.  A  minister  shall  continue  in 
the  service  of  the  sanctuary  as  long  as  he 
lives,  unless  he  has  the  consent  of  Classis  to 
devote  himself  to  a  secular  calling.  Educa- 
tional, or  other  direct,  work  for  the  Church 
shall  not  be  regarded  as  a  secular  calling. 

Art.  22.  If  a  minister  not  otherwise 
chargeable  with  an  offense  renounces  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  by  joining  another  denomi- 
nation without  being  regularly  dismissed 
to  it,  Classis  shall  record  the  fact  and  erase 
his  name  from  the  roll.  If  charges  are 
pending  against  him,  he  may  be  tried  on 
them.  If  the  minister  against  whom  the 
charges  are  pending  shall  have  abandoned 
the  ministry  or  declared  himself  independ- 
ent, his  name  shall  be  erased,  or  he  shall  be 
deposed  or  excommunicated,  as  the  case 
may  require. 

13 


Art.  23.  A  minister  compelled  by  age 
or  infirmity  to  retire  from  the  active  duties 
of  the  ministry,  shall  retain  his  right  to  a 
seat  and  vote  in  his  Classis  and  in  the 
Synods,  and  to  perform  ministerial  acts 
within  the  restrictions  specified  in  Article 
20  of  this  Constitution. 

If  the  retiring  minister  lacks  the  means 
of  self-support,  his  Classis  shall  report  his 
name  to  the  authorities  appointed  by  the 
General  Synod,  in  case  the  General  Synod 
shall  have  made  provision  for  the  relief  of 
ministers  according  to  Article  117  of  this 
Constitution. 

Art.  24.  A  minister  from  another  de- 
nomination, before  he  shall  be  admitted  in- 
to the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States,  shall  present  a  certificate 
of  dismission,  and  shall  be  examined  as  to 
his  orthodoxy  and  the  purity  of  his  inten- 
tions. If  his  application  is  approved,  he 
shall,  upon  signing  the  formula  prescribed 
for  licentiates,  be  admitted  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  Classis  to  which  he  has  applied 
for  reception. 

2.      TEACHERS  OF  THEOLOGY. 

Art.  25.     A  Teacher  of  Theology  is  a 
Minister  of  the  Word  who  has  been  elected 
and  inaugurated  as  a  professor  in  a  Theo- 
logical Seminarv  of  tlie  Church.     He  shall 
14 


be  chosen  in  such  manner  as  may  be  de- 
termined by  the  Synod  or  Synods  to  whose 
jurisdiction  the  Sen"iinary  is  subject. 

Art.  26.  A  person  shall  not  be  elected  a 
Teacher  of  Theology  whose  views  are  not 
in  accord  with  the  faith  and  doctrines  of 
the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States 
and  who  does  not  approve  of  its  mode  of 
government,  forms  of  worship  and  distinc- 
tive customs. 

Art.  2^.  Before  a  Teacher  of  1  heology 
enters  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  he  shall 
be  inaugurated  under  the  direction  of  the 
Synod  or  Synods  by  which  he  was  chosen. 
At  his  inauguration  he  shall  solemnly  affirm 
the  following  declaration  in  a  public  as- 
sembly : — 

"You,  N N ,  Professor-elect 

of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Re- 
formed   Church   in  the   United    States,   at 

,    acknowledge     sincerely    before 

God  and  this  assembly  that  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments, 
which  are  called  canonical,  are  divinely 
inspired  Scriptures  and  therefore  credible 
and  authoritative ;  that  they  contain  all 
things  which  relate  to  the  faith,  the  practice 
and  the  hope  of  the  righteous,  and  are  the 
only  rule  of  faith  and  practice  in  the 
Church  of  God ;  that,  consequently,  tra- 
ditions, as  they  r"e  called,  and  mere 
15 


conclusions  of  reason  that  are  contrary 
to  the  clear  testimony  of  these  Scriptures 
cannot  be  received  as  rules  of  faith  or  of 
life.  You  acknowledge,  further,  that  the 
doctrine  contained  in  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism is  in  accordance  with  the  doctrine  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures.  You  declare  sincerely, 
that  in  the  office  you  are  about  to  assume 
you  will  make  the  divine  authority  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  truth  of  the  doc- 
trine contained  in  the  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
the  basis  of  all  your  instructions,  and  faith- 
fully maintain  and  defend  the  same  in  your 
preaching  and  writing  as  well  as  in  your 
instructions.  You  declare,  finally,  that,  ac- 
cording to  the  ability  which  God  may  grant 
you,  you  will  so  labor  that,  with  the  divine 
blessing,  the  students  entrusted  to  your 
care  may  become  enlightened,  pious,  faith- 
ful and  zealous  ministers  of  the  gospel,  who 
shall  be  sound  in  the  faith."  The  Professor- 
elect  shall  answer,  '*I  so  declare  and  af- 
firm." 

Art.  28.  Teachers  of  Theology  shall 
explain  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  defend 
the  pure  doctrine  of  the  gospel  against  er- 
rors. In  their  instructions  to  the  theolog- 
ical students  it  shall  be  their  principal  aim 
to  make  them  well  acquainted  with  the  true 
sense  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  prepare 
them  to  preach  the  gospel  with  power  and 
16 


effect.  In  this  service  they  are  required  to 
instruct  the  students  in  Exegetical,  His- 
torical, Systematic  and  Practical  Theology. 

Art.  29.  A  Teacher  of  Theology  shall 
continue  in  office  during  his  life,  unless  he 
resigns  or  becomes  disqualified  for  his  du- 
ties by  heterodoxy  or  immorality,  or  by 
physical  or  mental  infirmities. 

Art.  30.  If  four  ministers  and  four 
elders  of  the  Church  present  to  the 
Board  of  Visitors  of  any  Theological  Semi- 
nary a  document  asserting  that,  for  cause 
or  causes  named  in  Article  29  of  this  Con- 
stitution, a  Teacher  of  Theology  is  disquali- 
fied for  his  position,  said  Board  shall 
institute  a  careful  examination,  and  if  the 
charge  is  well  founded  shall  refer  the  mat- 
ter for  final  disposition  to  the  Synod  or 
Synods  under  whose  authority  the  Teacher 
of  Theology  holds  his  position.  In  all 
things  except  his  position  as  Teacher  of 
Theology  he  is  amenable  to  the  Classis  to 
which  he  belongs. 

Art.  31.  A  Teacher  of  Theology  who 
has  been  rendered  incapable  of  further 
service  by  infirmities  shall  not  be  displaced 
without  having  such  provision  made  for  his 
support  as  his  necessities  may  require  and 
as  the  Synod  or  Synods  may  be  able  to 
make.  After  the  age  of  seventy  he  shall 
be  declared  Professor  Emeritus.  A  Teach- 
2  17 


er  of  Theology  desiring  to  resign  his  office 
shall,  at  least  six  months  before  his  resig- 
nation is  to  take  effect,  give  notice  in 
writing  of  his  intention  to  the  Board  of 
Visitors  or  other  proper  officers. 

3.      LICENTIATES. 

Art.  32.  A  licentiate  is  a  member  of 
the  Church  who,  having  completed  a  pre- 
scribed course  of  theological  studies  and 
having  passed  a  satisfactory  examination 
by  a  Classis,  has  been  authorized  to  preach 
the  gospel  and  to  accept  a  call  from  a  pas- 
toral charge  or  a  missionary  field. 

Art.  33.  An  applicant  for  licensure 
shall  present  a  written  application  to  his 
Classis,  together  with  his  certificate  from 
the  Theological  Seminary  or  Institution  in 
which  he  studied.  He  shall  submit  to  an 
examination,  which  shall  be  open  to  all  the 
members  of  Classis  and  embrace  at  least 
the  main  subjects  taught  in  the  Theological 
Seminaries  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States.  Particular  attention  shall 
be  paid  to  his  piety,  the  purity  of  his  in- 
tentions in  seeking  the  ministry,  his  ortho- 
doxy, and  his  ability  to  preach  the  gospel. 
The  report  of  such  examination  shall  not 
enter  into  particulars,  but  simply  state  the 
result  as  satisfactory  or  unsatisfactory. 

Art.  34.  For  good  reasons  licensure 
may  be  granted  to  applicants  who  have  not 


completed  the  course  of  study  prescribed 
for  the  Theological  Seminaries,  but  in  all 
such  cases  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Classis 
shall  be  required  to  authorize  the  licensure. 

Art.  35.  The  examination  of  the  ap- 
plicant having  proved  satisfactory  and  the 
report  of  the  examiners  having  been  adopt- 
ed, he  shall  read  aloud  before  Classis  the 
following  formula  and  subscribe  the  same 
in  a  book  kept  for  that  purpose : — 

'T  hereby  testify  that  I  honestly  and  truly 
accept  the  doctrine  of  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  as  in  accordance  with  the  teach- 
ing of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  promise 
faithfully  to  preach  and  defend  the  same. 
I  also  declare  and  promise  that  I  will  care- 
fully observe  all  the  ordinances  in  accord- 
ance with  the  Word  of  God  which  now  are 
or  may  hereafter  be  enacted  by  the  au- 
thorities of  the  Church,  and  that  I  will 
cheerfully  submit  to  all  the  admonitions  and 
decisions  of  these  authorities  so  long  as  I 
remain  in  connection  with  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States. 

'Tn  testimony  whereof  I  hereunto  sub- 
scribe my  name  and  the  date." 

Name Date 

Having   thus    attested    his    adherence    to 

the  doctrines  and  discipline  of  the  Reformed 

Church  in   the   United   States,  he  shall  be 

furnished   with    a   certificate   of   licensure, 

19 


bearing  the  seal  of  Classis  and  the  sig- 
natures of  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk ; 
anrl  his  name  shall  be  placed  on  the  clerical 
roll. 

Art.  36.  A  licentiate  is  permitted  to 
preach  the  Word,  but  shall  not  administer 
the  sacraments,  perform  the  rite  of  confir- 
mation, pronounce  the  benediction,  nor 
solemnize  marriage.  He  is  under  the  care 
and  jurisdiction  of  his  Classis,  must  attend 
its  meetings  and  submit  a  written  report  of 
his  labors,  but  he  cannot  vote  in  Classis  nor 
can  he  represent  it  in  a  higher  judicatory. 

Art.  37.  A  licentiate  shall  not  be  or- 
dained before  he  is  twenty-one  years  of  age 
and  until  he  has  received  and  accepted  a  call 
from  a  pastoral  charge,  or  has  been  called 
to  a  mission  or  to  be  a  Teacher  of  Theology 
in  an  authorized  theological  institution  of 
the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 
A  licentiate  who  has  received  and  accepted 
a  call  from  a  pastoral  charge  shall  be  or- 
dained by  the  Classis  within  whose  bounds 
the  charge  is  located.  A  licentiate  who  has 
received  and  accepted  a  call  to  teach  theol- 
ogy shall  be  ordained  by  the  Classis  to 
which  he  belongs  when  he  accepts  the  call. 

Art.  38.  A  licentiate  shall  not  preach 
statedly  for  a  vacant  congregation  or  pas- 
toral charge  without  the  consent  of  Classis. 
He  shall  be  a  member  of  that  Classis  within 

go 


whose  bounds  he  resides,  except  as  pro- 
vided for  in  the  case  of  ministers  in  Ar- 
ticle 20  of  this  Constitution. 

Art.  39.  Before  licentiates  from  other 
denominations  can  be  received  into  a 
Classis  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  they  shall  be  examined  in 
the  same  manner  as  students  for  the  minis- 
try and  shall  subscribe  the  formula  pre- 
scribed for  licentiates. 

4.     STUDENTS  FOR  THE  MINISTRY. 

Art.  40.  A  student  for  the  ministry  is 
a  member  of  the  Church  who,  believing 
himself  called  to  become  a  minister  of 
Christ,  enters  upon  a  course  of  study  to 
prepare  himself  for  that  office. 

Art.  41.  Every  student  for  the  ministry 
shall  place  himself  under  the  care  of  a 
Classis.  When  any  one  applies  to  be  re- 
ceived as  such,  the  Classis  shall  inquire  as 
to  his  fitness,  and  if  the  result  of  the  in- 
quiry is  satisfactory  shall  take  him  under  its 
care  and  exercise  proper  supervision  over 
his  studies  and  deportment.  He  shall  pur- 
sue his  course  of  study  in  a  theological 
institution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  unless  Classis  permits  him  to 
study  elsewhere.  This  permission  can  be 
given  only  if  it  does  not  conflict  with  any 
previous  obligations  he  may  have  assumed. 
21 


Art.  42.  At  each  annual  meeting  of 
his  Classis  a  student  for  the  ministry  "shaU 
submit  a  written  report  of  the  progress  he 
has  made  in  his  studies,  and  also  his  official 
reports  from  the  institution  in  which  he 
is  studying.  He  shall  not  exercise  minis- 
terial functions,  but  with  the  consent  of  the 
faculty  may  occasionally  preach  after  his 
first  year  in  the  Seminary. 

11. 

ELDERS  AND  DEACONS. 

Art.  43.  An  elder  is  a  member  of  the 
Church  chosen  by  a  congregation  and  or- 
dained to  his  office  by  prayer  and  the  laying 
on  of  hands  to  assist  and  support  the  pas- 
tor in  the  spiritual  affairs  of  the  Church. 

Art.  44.  Elders  shall  take  heed  to 
themselves  that  they  may  be  an  example 
unto  others,  shall  faithfully  watch  over  the 
spiritual  interests  of  the  congregation,  shall 
maintain  order  in  the  house  of  God,  shall 
aid  in  visiting  the  sick,  and  shall  contribute 
according  to  their  ability  to  the  edification 
and  consolation  of  all  the  members.  They 
shall  also  provide  the  elements  for  the 
Lord's  Supper,  when  requested  by  the 
pastor. 

Art.  45.  A  deacon  is  a  member  of  the 
Church  chosen  by  a  congregation  and  or- 
dained to  his  office  bv  ]:)rayer  and  the  laying 
'22 


on  of  hands  to  gather  the  offerings  of  the 
congregation  for  the  pastor's  salary  and 
other  purposes,  to  attend  to  the  temporal 
affairs  of  the  congregation,  except  such  as 
are  specified  in  Article  12  of  this  Constitu- 
tion, and  to  look  after  the  poor  and  desti- 
tute. 

Art.  46.  Elders  and  deacons  shall  be 
elected  by  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  at  a 
congregational  meeting  and  may  be  re- 
elected. Their  number  in  a  congregation 
and  their  term  of  office  shall  be  determined 
by  the  Constitution  and  By-laws  of  the  con- 
gregation. When  elected  for  the  first  time 
they  shall  be  publicly  ordained  to  their 
office.  After  their  ordination  they,  with 
those  who  have  been  re-elected,  shall  be 
installed.  Unless  dismissed  to  another  con- 
gregation they  shall  remain  in  office  until 
their  successors  are  inducted  into  office. 

Art.  47.  Members  called  to  the  office 
of  elder  or  deacon  shall  be  of  exemplary 
life  and  conduct  (see  Acts  6:1-6  and  i 
Tim.  3:8-13),  that  the  congregation  may 
be  edified.  On  this  account  light-minded, 
contentious,  or  otherwise  improper  persons 
shall  not  be  chosen  to  these  offices. 

Art.  48.  Nominations  for  the  offices  of 
elder  and  deacon  shall  be  made  by  the  Con- 
sistory, which  shall  present  the  names  of  one 
or  two  persons  for  each  officer  to  be  elected. 
23 


Public  notice  of  the  nominations  shall  be 
given  from  the  pulpit  at  least  one  week  be- 
fore the  election.  At  the  meeting  for  the 
election  one  additional  person  for  each  offi- 
cer to  be  elected  may  be  nominated  by  the 
congregation.  A  person  shall  not  be  voted 
for  unless  regularly  nominated.  All  nomi- 
nees must  be  in  full  communion  with  the 
Church  and  earnestly  devoted  to  the  cause 
of  Christ.  If  possible  each  congregation 
shall  have  at  least  two  elders  and  two 
deacons. 

Art.  49.  The  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  recognizing  the  consecration 
and  devotion  of  women  to  the  service  of 
the  Church  from  the  time  of  the  apostles  to 
the  present  day,  and  the  value  and  impor- 
tance of  their  work  in  all  forms  of  service, 
approves  and  authorizes  the  work  of  dea- 
conesses in  the  congregations,  and  the 
founding,  by  Consistories,  Classes  or  Syn- 
ods, of  deaconess'  Homes  for  the  training 
of  deaconesses.  A  deaconess  shall  minis- 
ter to  the  poor,  the  needy,  the  sick,  the 
spiritually  destitute,  and  aid  in  the  educa- 
tion of  the  young  and  the  visitation  of 
strangers  and  others  in  a  parish. 


24 


Part  II. 

JUDICATORIES. 

Section   i. 

Judicatories  in  General. 

Art.  50.     The  judicatories  are: 

1.  The  Consistory. 

2.  The  Spiritual  Council. 

3.  The  Classis. 

4.  The  Synod. 

5.  The  General  Synod. 

They  take  cognizance  only  of  ecclesias- 
tical matters,  and  have  authority  to  require 
obedience  to  the  laws  of  Christ  and  His 
Church  and  to  discipline  the  disobedient. 

Art.  51.  Cases  over  which  a  lower  ju- 
dicatory has  original  jurisdiction  can  be 
brought  before  a  higher  judicatory  only  by 
reference,  complaint,  or  appeal. 

Art.  52.  Classes  or  Synods  which  pre- 
vailingly use  the  same  language  in  public 
worship  shall  not  be  organized  w^ithin  the 
same  territory.  But  in  the  bounds  of 
Classes  which  are  prevailingly  English, 
German  Classes,  or  Classes  of  other  lan- 
guages, may  be  organized,  with  the  consent 
of  a  majority  of  all  the  Classes  concerned 
and  of  the  Synod  to  which  they  belong; 
and  so  also,  converselv,  in  the  case  of  Ger- 
25 


inan  Classes,  or  Classes  of  other  languages, 
English  Classes  may  be  organized  in  the 
same  way. 

Art.  53.  From  the  regular  credentials 
of  the  delegates,  pritnarii  and  seciindi,  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  a  Classis,  a  Synod,  or  the 
General  Synod  shall  prepare  the  roll  in  ad- 
vance of  the  stated  meeting.  Irregular  or 
disputed  credentials  shall  be  referred,  im- 
mediately after  the  organization  of  the  judi- 
catory, to  a  special  committee,  which  shall 
report  within  twenty-four  hours  after  its 
appointment.  The  sessions  of  every  judica- 
tory shall  be  opened  and  closed  with  reli- 
gious services. 

Art,  54.  Each  Classis  and  Synod  and 
the  General  Synod  shall  elect  a  President, 
a  Stated  Clerk,  and  such  other  officers  as 
they  respectively  deem  necessary,  who  shall 
hold  their  offices  until  their  successors  are 
elected  at  the  next  stated  meeting.  The 
Stated  Clerk,  however,  may  be  elected  for 
a  longer  period. 

Art.  55.  When  a  judicatory  meets  as  a 
delegated  body,  the  delegates  to  it  shall  be 
elected  by  the  judicatories  which  they  re- 
spectively represent  from  among  their 
members,  and  in  all  such  elections  at  least 
a  double  number  of  persons  shall  be  nomi- 
nated. The  members  shall  have  the  right, 
however,  to  vote  for  anv  enrolled  member, 
26  ' 


whether  nomniated  or  not.  Tellers  shall 
be  appointed  to  distribute,  collect  and  count 
the  ballots,  and  shall  report  the  number  of 
votes  cast  for  any  member  to  the  President, 
who  shall  then  declare  the  result.  Those 
having  the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  be 
the  priuiarii,  and  an  equal  number  having 
the  next  highest  number  of  votes  shall  be 
the  secundi,  who  shall  succeed  the  primarii 
in  the  order  of  the  number  of  votes  received 
in  both  cases.  In  case  delegates  have  re- 
ceived an  equal  number  of  votes,  their 
names  shall  be  arranged  on  the  list  in  alpha- 
betical order. 

Art.  56.  Acting  elders  only  shall  be 
elected  delegates  to  judicatories.  They 
shall  have  the  same  rights  and  privileges  in 
a  judicatory  as  Ministers  of  the  Word. 

Art.  57.  Delegates  to  a  judicatory 
shall  be  punctual  in  attending  its  meetings 
and  shall  remain  during  the  whole  of  its 
sessions.  They  are  amenable  for  their  tar- 
diness or  absence  to  the  judicatory  which 
elected  them,  which  also  must  provide  for 
the  expenses  incurred  in  attending  to  their 
duties  unless  paid  by  the  higher  judicatory. 

Art.  58.  At  a  special  meeting  of  a  ju- 
dicatory action  can  be  taken  only  on  the 
items  of  business  specified  in  the  call. 

Art.  59.  If  unforeseen  circumstances 
should  render  it  necessarv,  either  the  time 
27 


or  the  place,  or  both,  of  the  stated  meetmg' 
of  a  Classis,  a  Synod,  or  the  General  Syn- 
od, may  be  changed  by  the  President  and 
Stated  Clerk;  provided  that  for  a  Classis 
two  weeks',  for  a  Synod  four  weeks',  and 
for  the  General  Synod  six  weeks',  previous 
notice  is  given  by  the  President  and  Stated 
Clerk  through  a  circular  addressed  to  each 
member  of  the  judicatory. 

Art.  6o.  At  least  one  member  of  every 
committee'  appointed  by  a  Classis,  a  Synod, 
or  the  General  Synod  shall  be  an  elder ;  an 
exception  may  be  made  in  the  case  of  a 
committee  to  ordain  a  licentiate  or  to  install 
a  minister. 

Art.  6i.  Delegates  from  bodies  in  cor- 
respondence with  the  General  Synod  shall 
be  recognized  as  advisory  members,  but  they 
shall  not  have  a  vote.  The  same  privilege 
shall  be  accorded  to  every  minister  and 
elder  of  the  Reformed  Church  who,  though 
not  a  delegate,  is  present  at  a  meeting 
of  a  judicatory.  Ministers  from  other  de- 
nominations who  are  in  attendance  shall 
be  recognized  and  welcomed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, but  shall  not  be  admitted  to  seats  as 
advisory  members. 

Art.  62.  A  member  of  a  judicatory 
shall  not  be  allowed  to  enter  a  protest 
against  its  acts ;  but  any  member  dissenting 
shall  have  the  right  to  call  for  the  yeas  and 

28 


nays,  in  which  case  the  vote  and  name  oi 
every  member  votino-  on  the  question  shall 
be  entered  on  the  minutes. 

Section  2. 

Tfie  Consistory. 

Art.  63.  The  Consistory  is  composed  of 
the  pastor  or  pastors  and  the  elders  and 
deacons,  and  has  oversight  and  government 
of  the  congregation  and  of  all  its  organiza- 
tions. 

Art.  64.  The  pastor  shall  be  President 
of  the  Consistory,  unless  the  existing  charter 
provides  otherwise.  When  a  charge  is 
without  a  pastor,  or  the  pastor  is  unable  to 
attend,  one  of  the  elders  shall  be  chosen  to 
preside.  A  majority  of  the  members  shall 
constitute  a  quorum,  unless  otherwise  pro- 
vided in  the  charter  or  constitution  of  the 
congregation. 

Art.  65.  The  Joint  Consistory,  as  pro- 
vided in  Article  13  of  this  Constitution,  is 
composed  of  the  members  of  the  Consis- 
tories included  in  the  charge.  It  has  juris- 
diction over  the  com_mon  interests  of  the 
congregations  represented,  such  as  the  call- 
ing of  a  pastor,  the  provision  for  his  salary, 
and  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  a  par- 
sonage for  the  charge.  The  pastor  shall  be 
President ;  in  the  event  of  his  absence  or 
29 


inability  to  preside,  one  of  the  elders  shall 
be  chosen  to  preside. 

Art.  66.  The  Consistory  shall  hold 
stated  monthly  or  quarterly  meetings,  and 
may  hold  such  special  meetings  as  are 
called  by  the  President,  or,  in  the  event  of 
his  absence,  or  inability  or  unwillingness  to 
act,  by  the  Secretary  when  requested  in 
writing  to  do  so  by  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers. Previous  notice  of  special  meetings 
of  the  Consistory  or  of  the  Joint  Consis- 
tory shall  be  given  to  all  its  members. 

Art.  67.  The  Consistory  or  the  Joint 
Consistory  shall  annually  elect  delegates,  a 
primarius  and  a  secundus,  to  represent  the 
charge  in  Classis,  who  shall  also  be  the  dele- 
gates to  Synod  whenever  Synod  meets  ir. 
general  convention.  At  least  ten  days  be- 
fore the  annual  meeting  of  the  judicatory  to 
which  these  delegates  have  been  elected, 
their  credentials  shall  be  sent  to  its  Stated 
Clerk  by  the  President  or  the  Secretary  of 
the  Consistory. 

Art.  68.  In  managing  the  general  af- 
fairs of  the  congregation  the  Consistory 
shall  call  congregational  meetings,  order 
collections  for  the  apportionments  of  Classis 
and  for  other  benevolent  purposes,  dis- 
tribute alms  through  the  deacons,  provide 
for  the  audit  of  the  treasurer's  account,  and 
make  due  provision  for  the  support  of  the 


pastor.  It  shall  keep  a  full  and  accurate 
record  of  its  own  proceedings,  be  the  cus- 
todian of  all  congregational  records,  and 
submit  any  or  all  records  to  the  Classis 
when  occasion  requires  it  and  the  Classis 
requests  it. 

Art,  69.  In  calling  a  minister  and  in  all 
matters  of  a  general  nature,  as  specified  in 
Article  12  of  this  Constitution,  the  Con- 
sistory shall  determine  nothing  conclusive- 
ly without  the  consent  of  a  majority  of 
those  members  of  the  congregation  present 
at  a  meeting  duly  called  for  the  purpose, 
of  which  at  least  two  weeks'  public  notice 
shall  be  given. 

Art.  70,  When  a  charge  is  without  a 
pastor  the  Consistory  or  the  Joint  Consis- 
tory shall  provide  for  the  temporary  supply 
of  the  pulpit,  in  which  case  Classis  shall 
have  only  advisory  rights ;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  such  temporary  supply  shall  not 
continue  longer  than  one  year,  and  that  the 
supply  shall  not  be  any  one  but  a  minister, 
a  licentiate,  or  a  student  for  the  ministry, 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 
States,  in  good  and  regular  standing.  The 
Consistory  or  the  Joint  Consistory  shall  as 
soon  as  possible  present  to  the  congrega- 
tion or  congregations  constituting  the 
charge  the  name  of  one  candidate  for  the 
pastorate,  to  be  voted  upon  at  a  meeting 
called  for  the  purpose,  of  which  public  no- 
31 


tice  shall  be  given  at  least  two  weeks  previ- 
ously. The  communicant  members  shall 
vote  by  ballot  for  or  against  the  candidate. 
He  is  elected  if  a  majority  of  the  members 
of  the  charge  present  and  voting  cast  their 
vote  in  his  favor,  unless  a  larger  proportion 
is  required  by  the  charter.  The  Consistory 
or  Joint  Consistory  shall  then  tender  him  a 
call  according  to  the  form  prescribed  by  the 
General  Synod.  If  a  pastoral  charge  con- 
sists of  two  or  more  congregations,  the 
election  shall,  if  possible,  be  held  in  each 
congregation  on  the  same  day.  In  no  cir- 
cumstances shall  a  congregation  or  charge 
vote  on  more  than  one  candidate  at  on^  and 
the  same  meetins:. 


'fe- 


Art.  71.  Since  only  ministers  and  licen- 
tiates are  eligible  to  the  pastoral  office,  a 
congregation  or  charge  shall  not  nominate 
or  elect  a  student  for  the  ministry  as  its 
pastor. 

Section  3. 

The  Spiritual  Council. 

Art.  'J2.  The  Spiritual  Council  consists 
of  the  pastor  or  pastors  and  the  acting  el- 
ders of  a  congregation.  It  has  original 
jurisdiction  in  matters  of  discipline  except 
in  the  case  of  a  Minister  of  the  Word. 

Art.  73.     The  pastor  shall  be  President 
32 


of  the  Spiritual  Council ;  if  the  congregation 
is  without  a  pastor,  one  of  the  elders  shall 
be  chosen  to  preside.  A  majority  of  its 
members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Art.  74.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Spiritual 
Council  to  watch  over  the  members  of  the 
congregation,  to  guard  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  and  to  maintain  wholesome  disci- 
pline. It  alone  has  power  to  admit  mem- 
bers to  full  communion  and  to  exclude 
any  who  may  err  from  the  faith  or  offend 
in  morals. 

Art.  75.  Stated  meetings  of  the  Spirit- 
ual Council  shall  be  held  for  the  examina- 
tion of  the  catechumens  applying  for  con- 
firmation, and  before  every  communion 
service.  Special  meetings  shall  be  held  at 
the  call  of  the  President  or  at  the  request 
of  two  elders. 

Art.  76.  The  Spiritual  Council  shall 
upon  proper  request  furnish  members  of 
the  congregation,  in  good  and  regular 
standing,  with  certificates  of  dismission  to 
another  congregation  in  the  Reformed 
Church  or  to  any  orthodox  Protestant 
Church  which  receives  members  by  certifi- 
cate from  the  Reformed  Qiurch  in  the 
United  States.  The  certificate  shall  specify 
the  congregation  to  which  the  person  is 
dismissed. 

3  33 


Art.  yj.  If  the  Spiritual  Council  after 
being  duly  notified  neglects  to  convene  at 
the  time  appointed,  the  pastor  may  sit  alone 
to  try  an  individual  and  on  finding  him 
guilty  may  pronounce  sentence.  The  pro- 
ceedings in  such  a  case  shall  be  recorded  in 
the  minutes  of  the  Spiritual  Council. 

Art.  78.  The  Spiritual  Council  shall 
keep  a  full  and  accurate  record  of  its  pro- 
ceedings, which  shall  be  submitted  to  the 
Classis  when  occasion  requires  it  and  the 
Classis  requests  it. 

Section  4. 

The  Classis. 

Art.  79.  A  Classis  consists  of  the  min- 
isters residing  within  a  district  designated 
by  the  Synod  and  of  the  elders  delegated  by 
the  pastoral  charges  situated  within  these 
limits,  and  has  jurisdiction  over  said  minis- 
ters and  pastoral  charges. 

Art.  80.  A  Classis  shall  embrace  at 
least  three  pastoral  charges  and  as  many 
ordained  ministers.  It  shall  meet  annually 
at  such  time  and  place  as  it  may  designate. 
Three  ministers  and  two  delegated  elders 
regularly  convened  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

Art.  81.     Each  pastoral  charge  shall  be 
represented  in  Classis  by  its  pastor  or  pas- 
34 


tors  and  one  delegated  elder;  or,  if  the 
charge  is  without  a  pastor,  by  a  delegated 
elder. 

Art.  82.  The  annual  meeting  of  a 
Classis  shall  be  opened  with  religious  serv- 
ices, including  the  preaching  of  a  sermon 
by  the  President,  or  by  one  of  its  members 
designated  by  him  or  by  the  Classis,  after 
which  the  roll  shall  be  called;  if  a  quorum 
is  present,  the  officers  for  the  ensuing  year 
shall  be  elected,  and  the  business  shall  pro- 
ceed according  to  the  Rules  of  Order  pre- 
scribed by  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  83.  The  President  shall  perform 
all  the  duties  of  his  office  as  defined  by  the 
Rules  of  Order.  Immediately  after  the 
election  of  officers,  he  shall  define  the  Bar 
of  the  House,  and  appoint  the  Standing 
Committees  of  Classis,  which  shall  present 
their  reports  as  soon  as  possible.  The  re- 
ports of  the  Committees  on  Minutes  of 
Classis,  on  Minutes  of  Synod,  and  on  Over- 
tures shall  exhibit  those  items  which  claim 
the  attention  of  the  Classis. 

Art.  84.  At  the  annual  meeting  every 
pastor  shall  present  a  written  parochial  and 
a  full  statistical  report,  and  every  minister, 
though  without  a  charge,  a  report  of  his 
labors.  If  unable  to  be  present,  he  shall 
forward  his  report  to  the  Stated  Clerk  three 
35 


days  before  the  meeting.  The  parochial  re- 
port shall  contain  a  full  account  of  the 
spiritual  and  temporal  condition  of  the 
charge  and  of  the  labors  of  the  pastor. 
After  the  reception  of  the  parochial  reports 
the  President  or  any  member  of  Classis 
shall  ask  the  pastor  and  the  elder  such 
questions  as  may  be  requisite  to  elicit  addi- 
tional information.  The  following  ques- 
tions shall  be  addressed  by  the  President  to 
each  elder : 

I  St.  Are  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  preached 
in  3^oiir  charge  in  their  purity,  agreeably  to  the 
Word  of  God  and  the  standard  of  our  Church? 

2nd.  Are  the  catechising  of  the  children,  the 
instruction  of  the  youth  and  the  introduction  of 
members  into  the  Church  faithfully  attended  to 
in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 
States? 

3rd.  Is  family  visitation  faithfully  performed 
by  the  pastor? 

4th.  Is  the  duty  to  be  observed  before  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  relating  to  the 
fitness  of  the  communicants,  as  prescribed  in 
Article  200  of  the  Constitution  of  our  Church, 
carefully  attended  to? 

5th.  Is  the  temporal  contract  between  minister 
and  people  fulfilled  in  your  charge? 

The   statistical   report   shall  be  prepared 
according  to  the  form  approved  by  the  Gen- 
eral Synod.      If  a  charge  is  without  a  pas- 
tor, this   report   shall  be   furnished  by   the 
36 


Consistory.  On  the  basis  of  all  these  paro- 
chial and  statistical  reports  the  Committee 
on  the  State  of  Religion  shall  prepare  a 
general  report  for  Classis. 

Art.  85.  In  every  Classis  is  vested  the 
power  to  examine  and  license  applicants  for 
the  ministry,  to  ordain  licentiates,  to  con- 
stitute or  dissolve  pastoral  relations,  to  re- 
ceive and  dismiss  ministers  and  licentiates, 
to  depose  or  otherwise  discipline,  according 
to  his  desert,  a  member  of  its  own  body, 
and  to  reinstate  a  minister  whom  it  has 
suspended  or  deposed,  when  trustworthy 
evidence  of  repentance  and  reformation 
appears. 

Art.  86.  Classis  shall  have  access  to  all 
congregational  records,  according  to  the 
provisions  of  Articles  68  and  78  of  this 
Constitution,  and  shall  hear  and  decide  all 
cases  of  reference,  complaint  and  appeal,  as 
well  as  all  questions  respecting  ministers  or 
their  congregations  which  may  arise  within 
its  jurisdiction  and  are  regularly  brought 
before  it,  such  as  organizing  new  congrega- 
tions, determining  boundaries  of  congrega- 
tions and  charges,  deciding  controversies 
between  congregations  or  charges,  forming, 
reconstructing,  or  dissolving  charges,  as 
may  be  requested  or  as  Classis  may  deem 
expedient.  Classis,  however,  shall  exercise 
its  right  of  dividing  or  reconstructing  a 
'37 


charge  or  charges  only  after  havnig  coun- 
seled with  the  Consistories  or  Joint  Con- 
sistories of  the  charges  involved,  and  such 
action  shall  require  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  Classis. 

Art.  87.  An  ordained  minister  or  a  li- 
centiate shall  not  be  received  by  Classis  until 
he  has  presented  a  regular  certificate  of 
dismission  from  the  Classis  to  which  he 
belongs.  The  reception  of  a  minister  from 
another  denomination  shall  not  be  final  until 
it  is  confirmed  by  Synod. 

Art.  88.  An  ordained  minister  or  a 
licentiate  shall  be  amenable  to  the  Classis 
that  dismissed  him  and  his  name  shall  be 
retained  on  its  roll  until  he  shall  have  been 
received  by  the  Classis  to  which  he  has  been 
dismissed.  The  dismission  of  an  ordained 
minister  at  once  annuls  any  previous  ap- 
pointment or  election  of  him,  by  Classis,  as 
a  member  of  a  committee,  or  as  a  delegate 
to  Synod  or  to  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  89.  A  Classis  dismissing  an  or- 
dained minister  or  a  licentiate  shah  specify 
in  its  minntes  the  particular  Classis  and 
Synod  or  other  denomination  to  which  he  is 
dismissed ;  and  in  receiving  a  minister  or  a 
licentiate,  it  shall  in  like  manner  specify  the 
particular  Classis  and  Synod  or  other  de- 
nomination from  which  he  has  been  re- 
ceived. A  certificate  of  dismission  shall 
be  valid  for  only  one  vcar  from  its  date. 
38 


Art.  90.  A  Classis  shall  not  refuse  to 
receive  an  ordained  minister  or  a  licentiate 
dismissed  to  it  by  another  Classis  unless 
there  are  manifest  grounds  of  objection 
against  his  doctrine  or  morals,  in  which 
case  the  certificate  of  dismission  shall  be 
returned  to  the  Classis,  with  a  specific  state- 
ment of  the  grounds  of  objection ;  where- 
upon, the  Classis  shall  take  these  objections 
into  consideration,  and  if  it  finds  no  suffi- 
cient reason  to  change  its  action  the  whole 
question  shall  be  referred  to  Synod  for  de- 
cision. When  an  ordained  minister  or  a 
licentiate  is  received  by  any  Classis,  it  shall 
at  once  give  official  notice  of  his  reception 
to  the  Classis  that  dismissed  him. 

Art.  91.  Whenever  a  minister  or  a  li- 
centiate wilfully  neglects  for  three  consecu- 
tive years  to  attend  the  annual  meetings  of 
his  Classis  and  fails  to  report  to  it,  he  ren- 
ders himself  liable  to  suspension  from  office ; 
and  Classis  shall  at  once  cite  him  for  trial 
and  proceed  in  his  case  according  to  the 
Constitution  of  the  Church. 

Art.  92.  Every  Classis  at  its  first  an- 
nual meeting  after  the  minutes  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  have  been  distributed  shall  take 
action  on  all  ordinances  and  constitutional 
amendments  approved  by  the  General  Syn- 
od and  sent  down  to  the  Classes  for 
adoption  or  rejection,  and  shall  report  its 
39 


action  to  the  next  stated  meeting  of  its 
Synod  and  of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  93.  A  special  meeting  of  Classis 
may  be  called  at  any  time  by  the  President ; 
and  at  the  written  request  of  two  ministers 
and  two  delegate  elders  of  Classis,  specify- 
ing the  particular  business  to  be  transacted, 
he  shall  call  such  a  meeting.  The  party  or 
parties  for  whose  benefit  it  is  called  shall 
pay  the  expenses  incurred.  At  least  two 
weeks  before  the  time  of  such  meeting  the 
Stated  Clerk  shall  notify  the  members  by 
circular  of  the  time  and  place  of  meeting, 
and  of  the  items  of  business  that  will  claim 
attention.  In  case  of  the  death  or  removal 
of  the  President,  or  if  the  business  to  be 
transacted  implicates  him,  the  power  of  call- 
ing the  meeting  is  vested  in  the  Stated 
Clerk.  If  either  of  these  contingencies 
should  exist  with  respect  to  the  Stated 
Clerk  also,  two  ministers  and  two  elders, 
members  of  the  Classis,  may  call  the  meet- 
ing. 

Art.  94.  A  Classis  at  any  annual  meet- 
ing may  appoint  its  President,  Stated  Clerk 
and  one  other  of  its  members  an  Executive 
Committee,  of  which  the  President  shall  be 
chairman.  This  Committee  shall  represent 
Classis  during  the  interval  between  meet- 
ings ;  and  In  all  cases  when  between  the  par- 
ties concerned  there  is  no  question  at  issue, 
and  in  which  at  least  two  weeks'  notice  of 
40 


the  i^roposcd  action  has  been  given  in  writ- 
ing by  the  President  to  every  member  of 
Classis  and  written  objection  to  said  action 
has  not  been  made  to  any  member  of  the 
committee  nor  a  special  meeting  of  Classis 
demanded,  the  Committee  shall  have  power 
to  dissolve  a  pastoral  relation,  to  dismiss 
or  receive  a  minister  or  a  licentiate,  to 
confirm  a  call,  to  appoint  a  committee 
to  ordain  a  licentiate  and  install  a  pastor, 
to  permit  a  minister  or  a  licentiate 
to  minister  as  a  regular  supply  of  vacant 
congregations,  and  to  authorize  the  or- 
ganization of  new  congregations.  It  shall 
also  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  advise 
with  the  Consistory  of  a  vacant  charge,  and, 
if  requested,  to  aid  the  Consistory  in  secur- 
ing a  pastor,  and  to  aid  a  minister  in  obtain- 
ing a  suitable  field  of  labor.  This  com- 
mittee shall  also  serve  as  advisors  when 
called  on  by  pastors.  Consistories,  or  por- 
tions of  Consistories  to  aid  in  the  amicable 
adjustment  of  disputes  in  the  administra- 
tion of  the  affairs  of  the  congregations  or 
charges.  The  committee  shall  at  the  close 
of  the  year  present  a  full  report  of  its  acts 
and  proceedings  to  Classis  for  revision  and 
incorporation  in  its  minutes.  Classis  shall 
pay  the  necessary  expenses  of  this  com- 
mittee. 

Art.   95.     The   Stated   Clerk  shall  have 
charge  of  the  books  and  papers  of  Classis, 
41 


kud  shall  issue  all  its  official  documents, 
signed  by  himself  and  the  President,  with 
the  seal  of  Classis  affixed.  At  least  ten  days 
before  the  annual  meeting  of  Classis  he 
shall  furnish  every  pastor  with  a  copy  of 
the  blank  form  of  the  statistical  report. 
He  shall  transmit  to  Synod  at  its  annual 
meeting  a  certified  copy  of  the  minutes  of 
all  the  meetings  of  Classis  held  during  the 
year,  in  the  form  and  order  required  by  the 
rules  of  Synod.  He  shall  furnish  pastoral 
charges  and  individuals  with  a  certified  copy 
of  any  proceedings  in  which  they  are  spe- 
cially concerned.  If  Synod  meets  as  a  dele- 
gated body,  he  shall  before  its  annual  meet- 
ing furnish  its  Stated  Clerk  with  credentials 
of  the  delegates,  priinarii  and seciindi,  elect- 
ed to  represent  Classis.  He  shall  also  before 
the  stated  meeting  of  the  General  Synod 
furnish  its  Stated  Clerk  with  the  credentials 
of  the  delegates,  primarii  and  sccundi, 
elected  to  represent  Classis,  together  with 
the  roll  of  its  actual  members,  and  also  with 
a  certified  copy  of  those  portions  of  the 
minutes  of  Classis  claiming  the  attention 
of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  96.  On  the  dissolution  of  a  Classis 
the  Synod  with  which  it  was  connected 
shall  have  jurisdiction  over  its  members 
and  congregations,  and  shall  transfer  them 
to  another  Classis  or  other  Classes.  It  shall 
42 


have  charge  and  control  of  the  property  of 
said  dissolved  Classis,  if  such  charge  and 
control  does  not  conflict  with  the  civil  law, 
and  shall  determine  any  case  of  discipline 
begun  by  the  Classis  and  not  concluded. 

Art.  97.  The  Classes,  through  their  re- 
spective Stated  Clerks,  shall  make  report 
at  least  annually  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
General  Synod  of  all  licensures;  ordina- 
tions, suspensions,  depositions,  dismissions, 
or  erasures  of  names  of  ministers,  together 
with  the  time  and  place ;  and  in  the  case 
of  the  decease  of  a  licentiate  or  a  minister, 
his  name  and  the  time  and  place  of  decease. 

Section  5. 

The  Synod. 

Art.  98.  A  Synod  is  composed  of  four 
or  more  adjacent  Classes  designated  by  the 
General  Synod,  which  has  jurisdiction  over 
them.  It  shall  meet  annually,  either  in  gen- 
eral convention  or  as  a  delegated  body.  In 
general  convention  it  consists  of  all  its  min- 
isters and  of  one  elder  from  each  pastoral 
charge ;  as  a  delegated  body  it  consists  of 
the  ministers  and  elders  chosen  by  its 
Classes  according  to  a  basis  of  representa- 
tion adopted  by  itself  with  the  concurrence 
of  at  least  two-thirds  of  its  Classes.  A 
suspended  minister  shall  not  be  counted  in 
43 


the  basis  of  representation  either  to  Synod 
or  to  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  99.  Any  number  of  members  con- 
vened at  the  time  and  place  appointed  for  a 
meeting,  in  which  a  majority  of  the  Classes 
is  represented,  shall  constitute  a  quorum, 
which  quorum  shall  contain  not  fewer  than 
one  minister  and  one  elder  from  each  of 
the  Classes  necessary  to  a  majority  of  the 
Classes. 

Art.  100.  The  annual  sessions  shall  be 
opened  with  religious  services,  including 
the  preaching  of  a  sermon  by  the  President, 
or  by  some  other  member  designated  by 
him  or  by  the  Synod,  after  which  the  or- 
ganization shall  be  effected  and  the  busi- 
ness shall  proceed  according  to  the  Rules 
of  Order  prescribed  by  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  ioi.  A  Synod  shall  annually  re- 
view the  proceedings  of  its  Classes.  The 
report  of  the  Committee  on  this  subject 
shall  embrace  the  following  topics  : 

1.  Things  censurable,  as  a  violation  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  Church,  or  an  offense  against 
propriety,  or  a  neglect  of  duty. 

2.  Requests  and  references  from  the  Classes 
to  the  Synod. 

3.  Complaints  and  appeals  to  the  Synod. 

4.  Decisions  of  the  Classes  on  subjects  re- 
ferred to  them  by  the  Synod. 

5.^    Licensures;  ordinations;  ordained  ministers 
received,    dismissed,    deceased,    suspended   or   de- 
44 


posed;  licentiates  received  or  dismissed,    and  li- 
censes revoked, 

6.  Time  and  place  of  next  annual  meeting  of 
each  Cassis,  with  the  names  and  postoffice  ad- 
dresses of  its  President,  Stated  Clerk  and  Treas- 
urer. 

Art.  I02.  The  actions  of  the  Classes 
upon  an  ordinance  or  an  amendment  of 
the  Constittition  of  the  Church  shall  be  in- 
corporated in  regular  order  in  the  minutes 
of  the  Synod,  and  shall  appear  in  the  print- 
ed copy  of  them,  for  the  information  of  the 
General  Synod. 

Art.  103.  A  Synod  has  power  to  hear 
and  determine  complaints  and  appeals,  to 
give  advice  in  a  case  referred  to  it  by  a 
Classis,  to  establish  new  Classes  within  its 
own  limits,  and  to  determine  all  contro- 
versies between  Classes  and  between  min- 
isters or  congregations  of  different  Classes 
A  Classis,  however,  cannot  be  dissolved, 
nor  can  any  part  of  it  be  united  with  an- 
other Classis,  without  its  own  consent. 

Art.  104.  A  Synod,  either  separately  or 
in  connection  with  one  or  more  adjacent 
Synods,  may  establish  and  maintain  col- 
leges and  other  literary  institutions,  and 
shall  have  control  over  them. 

Art.  105.    A  Synod,  or  two  or  more  ad- 
jacent Synods,  may  with  the  consent  of  the 
General     Synod     establish     a     Theological 
Seminary.    The  Board  of  Trustees  and  the 
45 


Board  of  Visitors  of  such  Seminary  shall 
be  elected  by  said  Synod  or  Synods,  and 
shall  report  to  them  annually.  A  Theolo- 
gical Seminary  shall  not  hereafter  be  estab- 
lished except  by  a  Synod  or  Synods.  The 
Teachers  of  Theology  and  other  officers 
shall  be  amenable  only  to  the  Synod  or 
Synods  by  which  they  are  elected  and  sup- 
ported, subject  to  charter  regulations. 

Art.  io6.  Each  Synod  shall  give  neces- 
sary attention  to  the  education  of  pious 
young  men  for  the  gospel  ministry,  and  to 
the  cause  of  missions  both  in  the  home  and 
in  the  foreign  field.  Its  missionary  opera- 
tions shall  be  under  the  authority  and  con- 
trol of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  107.  A  Synod,  either  separately  or 
in  connection  with  one  or  more  Synods, 
may  establish  and  maintain  a  Board  of 
Publication,  whose  particular  purpose  shall 
be  the  publication  and  sale  of  such  church 
papers  and  books  as  are  adapted  to  pro- 
mote sound  knowledge  and  true  religion. 
At  every  annual  meeting  of  the  Synod  or 
Synods,  the  Board  shall  submit  for  exami- 
nation and  review  a  full  statement  of  its 
operations  during  the  year  and  of  its  pres- 
ent condition. 

Art.   108.     A  special  meeting  of  Synod 
shall  be  called  by  the  President,  or,  in  case 
46 


of  his  death  or  removal,  by  the  Stated  Clerk, 
whenever  six  ministers  and  four  elders, 
members  of  the  Synod,  request  it  in  a  writ- 
ten communication  specifying  the  particu- 
lar business  to  be  transacted.  At  least  three 
weeks  before  the  Synod  convenes  the  Stated 
Clerk  shall  notify  the  members  by  circular 
of  the  time  and  place  of  meeting,  and  of  the 
items  of  business  that  w^ill  claim  attention. 

Art.  109.  All  credentials,  calls  to 
Teachers  of  Theology  and  agreements  to 
wdiich  Synod  is  a  party,  shall  be  signed  by 
the  President  and  the  Stated  Clerk,  and 
shall  have  the  seal  of  Synod  attached.  The 
Stated  Clerk  shall  attest  all  extracts  from 
the  records  of  Synod,  and  shall  have  charge 
of  all  the  records  and  papers,  and  of  the 
seal  of  Synod,  and  shall  submit  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  at  its  stated  meeting  three  or 
more  duly  authenticated  printed  copies  of 
the  proceedings  of  every  meeting  held  since 
the  preceding  stated  meeting  of  that  body. 

Section  6. 

The  General  Synod. 

Art.  1 10.  The  General  Synod  repre- 
sents the  whole  Church,  and  is  composed  of 
ministers  and  elders  delegated  by  the 
Classes.  It  is  the  highest  judicatory  and 
the  last  re§ort  in  all  cases  respecting  the 
government  of  the  Church  not  finally  adju- 
47 


dicated  by  the  Synods.  Its  title  shall  be : 
The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformiuj 
Church  in  the  United  States. 

Art.  III.  In  the  General  Synod  a 
Classis  consisting  of  not  more  than  ten 
ministers  shall  be  represented  by  one  min- 
ister and  one  elder;  a  Classis  of  more  than 
ten  and  not  more  than  twenty,  by  two 
ministers  and  two  elders,  and  so  on  in  the 
same  ratio.  Any  number  of  delegates 
representing  a  majority  of  the  Classes  shall 
constitute  a  quorum,  when  convened  at  the 
time  and  place  appointed  for  a  meeting. 
At  least  one-third  of  the  delegates  shall  be 
elders. 

Art.  112.  The  General  Synod  shall 
meet  triennially  at  the  time  and  place  ap- 
pointed. The  sessions  shall  be  opened  with 
religious  services,  including  the  preaching 
of  a  sermon  by  the  President,  or  by  some 
member  designated  by  him  or  by  the  Gen- 
eral Synod,  after  which  the  organization 
shall  be  effected  and  the  business  shall  pro- 
ceed according  to  the  Rules  of  Order. 

Art.  113.  A  special  meeting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  shall  be  called  by  the  President, 
or  in  case  of  his  death  by  the  Stated  Clerk, 
whenever  fourteen  ministers  and  seven 
elders,  representing  a  majority  of  the 
Svnods,  present  a  written  request  specify- 
ing the  particular  business  to  be  transacted. 


At  least  six  weeks  before  the  time  of  meet- 
ing the  Stated  Clerk  shall  issue  a  circular 
to  the  members,  informing  them  of  the  time 
and  place  of  meeting,  and  specifying  the 
items  of  business  to  be  considered. 

Art.  114.  The  General  Synod  shall  re- 
view the  proceedings  of  the  Synods  and  ap- 
prove or  disapprove  their  acts,  and  shall 
receive  and  act  upon  those  portions  of  the 
minutes  of  Classes  submitted  to  it.  It  has 
power  to  maintain  correspondence  with 
sister  Churches,  to  hear  and  determine 
complaints  and  appeals,  to  decide  contro- 
versies between  Synods  and  between 
Classes  of  different  Synods,  and  also  to 
give  counsel  in  cases  referred  to  it  by  one 
or  more  Synods.  It  may,  at  the  request  of 
four  adjacent  Classes  and  with  the  consent 
of  the  Synod  or  Synods  within  whose 
bounds  they  lie,  constitute  them  a  Synod. 

Art.  115.  The  General  Synod  shall  dili- 
gently prosecute  the  work  of  Home  Mis- 
sions and  of  Foreign  Missions,  of  Orphans' 
Homes,  and  the  general  Sunday-school 
work  of  the  Church  by  Boards,  which  are 
to  be  elected  and  governed  in  their  proceed- 
ings in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
their  respective  charters.  At  every  trien- 
nial meeting  of  the  General  Synod  each 
Board  shall  submit  for  revision  a  report  of 
its  operations  during  the  previous  three 
4  49 


years  and  a  statement  of  its  present  condi- 
tion. 

Art.  1 1 6.  The  General  Synod  may  ap- 
point a  standing  committee  on  Young  Peo- 
ple's Societies,  through  which  committee 
the  work  of  such  societies  may  be  brought 
to  its  attention. 

Art.  117.  The  General  Synod  shall  de- 
vise and  maintain  an  efficient  plan  for  the 
support  of  aged  and  infirm  ministers  who 
are  without  adequate  means  of  self-support 
and  are  recommended  for  aid  by  the  Classis 
to  which  they  belong.  The  plan  shall  also 
include  the  needy  widows  of  ministers. 

Art.  118.  The  General  Synod  shall  pre- 
pare the  following  forms :  constitution  for 
a  congregation ;  constitution  for  a  joint 
consistory;  certificate  of  licensure;  testi- 
monial of  ordination ;  certificate  of  dismis- 
sion of  a  minister ;  call  to  a  minister ;  call 
to  a  teacher  of  theology ;  certificate  of 
dismission  of  a  church  member ;  statistical 
report  of  a  pastoral  charge ;  statistical  re- 
port of  a  classis ;  statistical  report  of  a 
synod ;  church  register ;  accusations ;  cita- 
tion of  an  accused  person;  citation  of  a 
witness ;  form  for  qualifying  a  witness ; 
order  of  business  and  rules  of  order  for 
the  classes,  the  synods  and  the  General 
Synod.  These  forms  may  be  changed  or 
50 


amended  at  any  stated  meetings  of  tlie  Gen- 
eral Synod  by  a  two-thirds  vote. 

Art,  119.  All  proposed  ordinances  of 
the  Church,  such  as  a  constitution,  a  cate- 
chism, a  hymn  book  and  a  liturgy,  as  well 
as  all  amendments  of  ordinances,  must  first 
be  approved  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the 
General  Synod  at  a  stated  meeting,  and 
then  be  submitted  to  "all  the  Classes  for 
adoption  or  rejection.  If  at  the  next  stated 
meeting  of  the  General  Synod  it  shall  ap- 
pear that  more  than  one-third  of  the  Classes 
have  rejected  the  ordinance  or  amendment, 
the  same  is  rejected  and  shall  be  so  declared 
by  the  General  Synod ;  otherwise  it  shall 
be  declared  adopted  and  be  binding  on  the 
whole  Church. 

Art.  120.  The  original  records  of  all 
proceedings  of  the  General  Synod  and  all 
documents,  letters  and  papers  having  refer- 
ence to  its  proceedings,  shall  be  carefully 
preserved  by  the  Stated  Clerk  and  deposited 
in  such  place  as  the  General  Synod  shall 
direct ;  and  a  document  or  paper  shall  not  be 
removed  by  any  person  whatever  without 
permission  obtained  from  the  General  Syn- 
od, or,  during  its  recess,  from  the  Stated 
Clerk. 

Art.  121.  At  least  forty  days  before  the 
regular  meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  its 
Stated  Clerk  shall  furnish  the  Stated  Clerks 

n 


of  the  several  Classes  with  the  blank  forms 
of  the  credentials  for  delegates  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod. 

Art.  122.  The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  shall  provide  and  accurately 
keep  a  Register  of  Licensures  and  Ordina- 
tions of  ministers  throughout  the  Church, 
said  Register  showing  the  full  name  of  the 
licentiate  or  ordained  minister,  with  the  date 
of  licensure  or  ordination,  or  both,  the  name 
of  the  Classis  by  which  the  minister  was 
licensed  or  ordained,  and  the  time  and  place 
of  licensure  op-  ordination,  the  time  and 
place  of  the  minister's  decease,  with  suffi- 
cient space  for  memoranda  of  the  facts  in 
case  of  the  dismission  of  the  minister  to 
another  Church,  or  of  erasure  of  his  name 
in  the  case  of  a  transfer  of  his  church  rela- 
tionship without  dismission,  or  in  case  of 
his  suspension  or  deposition  from  the  min- 
istry. The  Register  shall  have  an  alpha- 
betical index. 

Part  III. 

DISCIPLINE. 

Section  i. 

Discipline  in  General. 

Art.  123.     Christian  discipline  is  the  ex- 
ercise of  that  authority  and  the  application 
of  those  laws  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
52 


has  established  in  His  Church,  to  preserve 
its  purity  and  honor,  and  to  promote  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  its  members. 

Art.  124.  An  offense  is  anything  in  the 
doctrine,  principles,  or  practice  of  a  church 
member,  officer,  or  judicatory  that  is  con- 
trary to  the  Word  of  God;  and  nothing 
shall  be  admitted  as  matter  of  accusation 
or  considered  an  offense  which  cannot  be 
proved  to  be  contrary  to  the  Scriptures  or 
to  the  regulations  of  the  Church  founded 
on  them.  The  following  sins  especially 
merit  discipline  :  heresy,  schism,  blasphemy, 
adultery,  fornication,  lascivious  wanton- 
ness, theft,  fraud,  perjury,  lying,  conten- 
tiousness, intemperance,  profanation  of  the 
Lord's  Day,  impudent  scoffing,  cruelty,  and 
other  violations  of  the  Ten  Commandments. 

Art.  125.  Discipline  shall  be  exercised 
in  the  form  of  admonition,  censure,  erasure 
of  name,  suspension,  deposition  and  excom- 
munication. 

Art.  126.  Should  any  of  the  lower  ju- 
dicatories pass  an  action  of  censure  or  re- 
proof upon  an  individual  or  any  party  in 
the  Church  in  their  unavoidable  absence, 
the  Secretary  or  Stated  Clerk  of  said  judica- 
tory shall  give  those  concerned  immediate 
notice  of  such  action ;  and  should  they  feel 
aggrieved  by  it,  they  shall  have  ten  days 
time  from  date  of  notice  for  giving  notice 
53 


of  appeal  to  the  officers  of  said  judicatory, 
and  ten  days  further  time  for  lodging  their 
reasons  for  appeal. 

Art.  127.  Every  case  in  which  there  is 
a  charge  of  offense  against  a  church  mem- 
ber or  officer  shall  be  known,  in  its  original 
and  appellate  stages,  as  a  judicial  case. 
Every  other  case  shall  be  known  as  a  non- 
judicial or  administrative  case. 

Section  2. 

Members  —  Unconfirmed  and  Confirmed. 

Art.  128.  All  members  of  the  Church 
are  subject  to  its  government  and  disci- 
pline. If  the  unconfirmed  fall  into  sinful 
ways,  the  pastor  and  elders  shall  remind 
the  parents  or  sponsors  of  their  duty  in  re- 
gard to  them,  and  shall  also  seek  by  direct 
approach  to  bring  them  to  the  obedience  of 
Christ. 

Art.  129.  Members  of  the  Church  who 
upon  being  convicted  of  an  offense  reject 
the  admonition  of  the  Spiritual  Council  or 
the  judicatory  that  found  them  guilty,  or 
who  have  committed  an  act  of  public  scan- 
dal, shall  be  suspended  from  the  communion 
of  the  Church.  Those  thus  suspended  shall 
be  treated  not  as  enemies,  but  as  erring 
brethren,  and  shall  be  admonished  as  such, 
in  accordance  with  apostolic  direction  (2 
54 


Thess.  3:6-15).  But  If  this  suspensioil 
and  these  admonitions  are  ineffectual,  of- 
fenders ■  shall  be  excommunicated  (Matt. 
18:  17).  A  suspension  may  or  may  not  be 
announced  publicly,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  church  judicatory  that  tried  the  case; 
a  sentence  of  excommunication,  however, 
shall  always  be  publicly  pronounced. 

Art.  130.  If  a  member  shall  neglect  to 
partake  of  the  Holy  Communion,  or  refuse 
to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  Church, 
or  continuously  absent  himself  from  the 
public  worship  for  a  period  of  one  year, 
such  conduct  shall  be  regarded  as  an  of- 
fense against  the  Church,  and  he  shall  be 
admonished  by  the  pastor  or  elders.  If 
after  admonition  he  continues  in  such  neg- 
lect of  duty  for  another  year,  the  Spiritual 
Council  shall  notify  him  that  he  is  no  longer 
in  good  and  regular  standing.  If  before 
the  expiration  of  another  year  he  shall  ex- 
press a  desire  to  be  reinstated  and  shall 
promise  to  attend  to  his  duties,  the  Spiritual 
Council  shall  reinstate  him.  If  at  the  end 
of  the  third  year  he  shall  not  express  a  de- 
sire for  reinstatement,  or  if  any  member 
shall  unite  with  another  congregation  or  de- 
nomination without  a  certificate  of  dismis- 
sion, the  Spiritual  Council  in  either  case 
shall  erase  his  name  from  the  church 
register. 

55 


Section  3. 

Ministers,  Elders  and  Deacons. 

Art.  131.  If  a  minister,  an  elder,  or  a 
deacon  shall  commit  an  offense  that 
brings  dishonor  upon  the  Church  or  is  pun- 
ishable in  the  criminal  courts,  he  shall  upon 
trial  and  conviction  by  a  church  judicatory 
be  removed  from  his  office ;  if  an  elder  or 
a  deacon,  by  the  Spiritual  Council ;  if  a 
minister,  by  his  Classis.  In  case  a  min- 
ister is  involved  in  a  grave  public  scandal, 
the  Spiritual  Council  shall  temporarily  pre- 
vent him  from  exercising  his  ministerial 
functions  and  refer  him  at  once  to  his 
Classis  for  trial. 

Art.  132.  If  an  ill  report  concerning  the 
moral  conduct  of  a  minister,  an  elder,  or  a 
deacon  is  in  circulation,  the  Spiritual  Coun- 
cil shall  institute  an  immediate  investiga- 
tion, and  proceed  as  the  interests  of  re- 
ligion and  as  justice  to  the  individual  may 
require.  If  the  Spiritual  Council  neglects  to 
investigate  ill  reports  concerning  a  min- 
ister, the  Classis  shall  investigate  them 
without  waiting  to  be  requested  by  the 
Sj)iritual  Council.  But  if  the  Classis  dis- 
covers that  the  Spiritual  Council  is  already 
occupied  with  the  case,  it  shall  for  a  rea- 
sonable time  await  the  result  of  the  inquiry. 
A  prosecution  based  on  evil  rumors  shall 
56 


not  be  instltiitcrl  unless  there  is  a  specifica- 
tion of  some  particular  sin  or  sins  and  the 
rumors  are  generally  circulated,  permanent 
and  not  transient,  and  accompanied  with 
strong  presumption  of  truth. 

Art.  133.  If  a  pastor  shall  have  been 
suspended  or  deposed  from  his  ministerial 
office,  the  relation  previously  existing  be- 
tween him  and  his  pastoral  charge  shall  be 
dissolved  and  the  charge  declared  vacant. 

Art.  134.  If  a  minister  accused  of  an 
offense  shall  refuse  to  appear,  either  in  per- 
son or  by  counsel,  after  having  been  cited 
twice,  ha  shall  for  his  contumacy  be  sus- 
pended from  his  office ;  and  if  after  an- 
other citation  he  refuses  to  appear,  either  in 
person  or  by  counsel,  he  shall  be  suspended 
from  the  communion  of  the  Church,  if  the 
alleged  offense  warrants  such  suspension. 

Art.  135.  An  accusation  in  case  of  scan- 
dal shall  not  be  heard  unless  presented  with- 
in one  year  after  the  crime  is  alleged  to  have 
been  committed,  except  it  can  be  shown 
that  insurmountable  difficulties  existed, 
which  prevented  the  presentation  of  the 
accusation  within  that  time. 

Section  4. 

Parties  in  Cases  of  Process. 

Art.    136.     Judicial   proceedings  against 
57 


alleged  offenders  shall  be  instituted  only  Oil 
accusation  of  a  communicant  member  or 
by  a  judicatory  finding  it  necessary  to  in- 
vestigate an  offense. 

Art.  137.  When  an  individual  brings  an 
accusation,  he  shall  be  named  as  the  accu- 
ser ;  and  when  an  accusation  is  brought  by 
a  judicatory  of  the  Church,  "The  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States"  shall  be 
named  as  the  accuser.  The  person  or  per- 
sons against  whom  the  accusation  is 
brous:ht  shall  be  named  as  the  accused. 


'fc.' 


Art.  138.  When  an  accusation -has  been 
brought  by  a  judicatory,  it  shall  appoint  a 
committee  of  one  or  more  of  its  members 
to  conduct  the  proceeding  in  all  its  stages 
until  its  final  issue  is  reached;  but  the  judi- 
catory which  appointed  the  committee  may 
change  it,  and  may  also  appoint  assistant 
counsel  in  the  case  at  any  stage  of  the  pro- 
ceeding, the  same  privilege  either  of  engag- 
ing other  counsel  or  of  engaging  assistant 
counsel  being  accorded  to  the  accused. 


■fcj 


Art.  139.  In  cases  of  alleged  personal 
injuries,  a  proceeding  shall  not  be  allowed 
unless  those  means  for  reconciliation  have 
been  tried  and  have  failed  which  are  re- 
quired by  our  Lord  (Matt.  18:  15-17). 

68 


Section  5. 

Charges  and  Specifications. 

Art.  140.  The  charge  or  charges  shall 
be  in  writing  and  shall  set  forth  the  alleged 
offense,  and  the  specifications  shall  set  forth 
the  facts  relied  upon  to  sustain  the  charge 
or  charges.  Each  offense  shall  be  set  forth 
as  a  separate  charge ;  and  each  specifica- 
tion shall  declare,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
time,  place  and  circumstances  of  the  of- 
fense, and  shall  be  accompanied  with  the 
names  of  the  witnesses. 

Section  6. 
Process  and  Trial. 

Art.  141.  When  charges  are  made  that 
an  offense  has  been  committed,  they  mast 
be  filed  in  duplicate  with  the  Stated  Clerk 
or  Secretary  of  the  judicatory  to  which  they 
are  directed,  one  copy  to  be  for  the  use 
of  the  accuser  and  the  other  copy  for  the 
use  of  the  accused.  The  Stated  Clerk  or 
Secretary  shall  immediately  inform  the 
President  of  the  judicatory  of  the  filing  of 
the  charges  or  accusations. 

Art.    142.      If    the    charges    are    made 
against  the  Stated  Clerk  or  Secretary  of  the 
judicatory,  they  shall  be  filed  with  the  pre- 
siding officer,  and  he  shall  proceed  to  per- 
59 


form  the  duties  of  the  Stated  Clerk  or  Sec- 
retary m  the  matter  until  another  Stated 
Clerk  or  Secretary  shall  have  been  appoint- 
ed for  the  occasion;  and  if  they  are  made 
against  the  presiding  officer,  the  Secretary 
or  Stated  Clerk  shall  proceed  to  perform  the 
duties  of  the  presiding  officer  in  the  matter 
until  the  judicatory  can  meet  and  appoint  a 
presiding  officer  for  the  occasion. 

Art.  143.  The  President  of  the  judica- 
tory in  which  the  charges  have  been  filed, 
or  in  case  of  his  disqualification  the  Stated 
Clerk  or  Secretary,  shall  call  a  meeting 
for  the  hearing  of  the  case,  in  the  manner 
and  form  in  which  such  judicatory  is  usu- 
ally called  for  the  transaction  of  business. 
The  Secretary  or  Stated  Clerk,  or  in  case 
of  his  disqualification  the  President,  shall 
issue  a  citation  according  to  the  form  pre- 
scribed by  the  General  Synod.  Such  cita- 
tion and  one  of  the  copies  of  the  charges, 
with  the  names  of  the  witnesses,  shall  be 
served  on  the  accused  at  least  ten  days  be- 
fore the  trial,  in  person  if  possible,  other- 
wise either  by  leaving  them  at  his  last 
known  place  of  residence  with  an  adult 
member  of  his  family  or  household,  or  by 
mailing  them  in  a  registered  letter.  The 
accuser  also  shall  be  notified  of  the  time 
and  place  of  the  trial  by  the  Stated  Clerk 
or  Secretary,  or  in  case  of  his  disqualifica- 
60 


tion  by  the  President,  at  least  ten  days  pre- 
vious to  the  trial. 

Art.  144.  If  the  accused  refuses  to  obey 
the  citation,  he  shall  be  cited  a  second  time 
to  appear  at  such  time  as  the  judicatory 
may  deem  reasonable,  but  not  within  less 
than  ten  days.  If  he  still  refuses  to  appear, 
not  only  shall  he  be  liable  to  censure  for 
contumacy,  but  the  judicatory  may  proceed 
with  the  investigation  and  decision  of  the 
case  as  if  he  were  present,  in  which  case 
the  judicatory  shall  appoint  some  person  or 
persons  to  represent  him  as  counsel. 

Art.  145.  The  President,  or  the  Stated 
Clerk  or  Secretary  of  the  judicatory  which 
is  to  hear  a  case  shall,  when  requested,  issue 
citation  to  the  witness  or  witnesses  accord- 
ing to  the  form  prescribed  by  the  General 
Synod. 

Such  citation  shall  be  served  upon  each 
witness  in  like  manner  as  provided  in  Arti- 
cle 143  for  service  of  citation  upon  the  ac- 
cused. A  person  disobeying  a  citation  thus 
issued  and  served  is  guilty  of  disobedience 
and  contempt,  and  may  for  such  offense  be 
suspended  (if  a  member  of  the  Church) 
from  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the 
Church,  or  be  reprimanded  by  the  judica- 
tory. 

Art.   146.     The  testimony  of  witnesses 
61 


who,  on  account  of  distance,  ill  health,  or 
other  unavoidable  circumstances,  cannot  ap- 
pear at  the  trial  of  a  case,  may  be  taken  by 
either  party  before  a  notary  public  or  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  or  before  a  member 
of  the  Church  designated  as  a  commissioner 
by  the  judicatory,  provided  the  party  in 
whose  interest  the  testimony  is  taken  notifies 
the  opposite  party,  at  least  ten  days  pre- 
viously, when  and  where  the  testimony  is 
to  be  given,  and  what  it  is  expected  to 
prove.  The  opposite  party  may  be  present 
and  cross-examine  the  witness,  or  may 
send  questions  for  such  cross-examination. 
The  testimony  thus  taken  may  be  read  at 
any  and  all  stages  of  the  trial,  provided  the 
notary  or  justice  or  commissioner  has  certi- 
fied thereto  that  said  witnesses  were  duly 
qualified,  and  that  the  testimony  is  their 
testimony  and  was  reduced  to  writing  by 
him  and  was  taken  at  the  time  and  place 
specified  in  the  notice. 

Art.  147.  Trials  shall  be  conducted  in 
open  or  secret  session,  as  the  majority  of 
the  judicatory  may  determine. 

Art.  148.  An  accuser  may  be  repre- 
sented by  counsel,  but  only  ministers  and 
elders  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  in  good  and  regular  stand- 
ing, shall  appear  as  counsel  in  a  judicatory. 

Art.  149.     Exceptions    to    the   jurisdic- 
62 


tion  of  the  judicatory,  to  the  regularity  of 
its  organization,  to  the  sufficiency  of  the 
charges  and  specifications,  must  be  made 
at  the  meeting  named  in  the  citations, 
either  before  or  after  the  charges  are  made. 
The  judicatory  shall  determine  all  such 
preliminary  objections,  and  may  dismiss 
the  case,  or,  in  the  furtherance  of  justice, 
may  permit  amendments  to  the  specifica- 
tions or  charges  which  do  not  change  their 
nature. 

Art.  150.  If  the  proceedings  are  found 
in  order  and  the  charges  and  specifications 
are  considered  sufficient  to  put  the  accused 
on  his  defense,  and  there  is  not  an  acknowl- 
edgment of  guilt,  the  trial  shall  proceed; 
but  if  the  guilt  is  acknowledged,  the  judi- 
catory shall  pronounce  sentence  without 
further  process  of  trial. 

Art.  151.  The  witnesses,  after  being 
sworn  or  affirmed  by  the  President  or  by 
any  member  of  the  body  whom  he  shall 
appoint,  shall  be  examined,  and,  if  desired, 
cross-examined;  and  other  competent  evi- 
dence may  be  presented.  Questions  as  to 
order  or  evidence  shall  be  decided  by  the 
President,  subject  to  exception  by  either  of 
the  parties  at  the  time  the  decision  is 
rendered ;  and  such  decisions,  if  it  is  de- 
sired by  either  party,  shall  be  entered  upon 
the  records  of  the  case. 
§3 


Art.  152.  All  persons,  including-  the 
accuser  and  the  accused,  are  competent  wit- 
nesses, except  such  as  do  not  believe  in  the 
existence  of  God  or  in  a  future  state  of 
reward  and  punishment,  or  have  not  suffi- 
cient intelligence  to  understand  the  obliga- 
tion of  an  oath.  Any  witness  may  be  chal- 
lenged for  incompetency,  and  the  judica- 
tory shall  decide  the  question. 

Art.  153.  A  member  of  the  judicatory 
may  be  one  of  the  witnesses  in  a  case  which 
comes  before  it.  He  shall  be  qualified  as 
other  witnesses  are,  and  after  havincr  oriven 
his  testimony  may  immediately  resume  his 
seat  as  a  member  of  the  judicatory,  but 
shall  not  have  a  vote  in  the  case  in  any  of 
the  judicatories  of  the  Church. 

Art,  154.  Exceptions  to  any  of  the 
rulings  or  proceedings  in  the  trial  may  be 
taken  by  either  of  the  parties,  and  shall  be 
entered  on  the  record  to  be  available  in 
case  of  an  appeal. 

Art.  155.  The  charge  or  charges  and 
specifications  and  the  decision  of  the  judi- 
catory and  the  notice  of  appeal,  if  any,  shall 
be  entered  on  the  minutes  of  the  judicatory, 
all  of  which,  together  with  the  evidence  in 
the  case  duly  filed  and  authenticated  by  the 
clerk  of  the  judicatory,  shall  constitute  the 
record  of  the  case.  If  demanded,  copies  of 
the  record  shall  be  promptly  furnished  to 
64 


the  parties  at  their  expense.  The  fees 
charged  shall  not  exceed  five  cents  for  each 
one  hundred  words,  including  certificate  of 
correctness  attached  to  the  copy. 

Art.  156.  Decisions  in  judicial  pro- 
ceedings must  be  rendered  by  a  majority 
vote  of  the  members  of  the  judicatory 
present  during  the  entire  progress  of  the 
trial.  A  separate  vote  must  be  taken  on 
each  charge.  A  sentence,  however,  of 
excommunication  of  a  member,  or  of  sus- 
pension or  deposition  of  a  minister,  elder, 
or  deacon  from  office,  shall  not  be  valid  ex- 
cept by  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the 
members  voting.  The  decision  and  the  sen- 
tence shall  be  publicly  pronounced  by  the 
President  in  the  judicatory  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  proceedings.  Motion  for  a  new 
trial  or  for  a  mitigation  of  sentence  shall  be 
heard  and  decided  immediately  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  trial.  Decisions,  sentence, 
exceptions,  motions  and  further  proceedings 
on  them,  and  notice  of  appeal  shall  be  duly 
recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  trial  in  the 
order  in  which  they  occur. 

Section  7. 

References. 

Art.   157.     A  reference  is  a  submission 
of  a  pending  matter  by  a  lower  to  the  next 
higher  judicatory,  and  may  be  made  either 
5  60 


for  advice  or  for  ultimate  decision  by  such 
higher  judicatory. 

Art.  1 58.  In  matters  of  reference  mem- 
bers of  the  lower  judicatory  may  vote  in 
the  higher  judicatory. 

Art.  159.  A  judicatory  may  refuse  to 
give  final  judgment  in  a  matter  of  refer- 
ence, and  may  remit  the  whole  case  either 
with  or  without  advice  to  the  lower  judica- 
tory. 

Art.  160.  In  all  cases  of  reference  the 
record  of  the  proteedings  in  the  lower 
judicatory  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  higher 
judicatory,  and  the  judicatory  to  which  a 
reference  is  made  shall  determine  the 
method  of  procedure  to  be  adopted  for 
hearing  and  disposing  of  such  reference. 

Section  8. 

Complaints, 

Art.  161.  A  complaint  is  a  written 
representation  made  for  grievances  other 
than  those  that  necessitate  an  accusation 
and  a  judicial  trial.  Any  member  of  the 
Church  in  good  and  regular  standing  shall 
have  the  right  of  complaint,  provided  that 
due  notice  is  given  to  the  party  against 
whom  complaint  is  made. 

Art.   162.     If  the  constitutional  require- 
66 


ments  for  the  regularity  of  a  complaint 
shall  have  been  met,  the  judicatory  to  which 
the  complaint  has  been  made  shall  declare 
it  in  order;  and  all  complaints  shall  be  so 
disposed  of  by  the  judicatory  to  which 
they  are  made  that  a  just,  correct  and  in- 
telligent conclusion  may  be  reached. 

Art.  163.  If  the  official  act  or  decision 
of  an  officer  of  the  Church  is  the  ground 
of  complaint,  the  complaint  shall  be  brought 
before  the  judicatory  in  whose  name  or 
by  whose  authority  he  acted.  Duplicate 
copies  of  the  complaint  shall  be  lodged  by 
the  complainant  with  the  Stated  Clerk  or 
Secretary  of  the  judicatory,  one  of  which 
copies  shall  be  served  by  the  Stated  Clerk 
or  Secretary  on  the  officer  complained 
against  at  least  ten  days  before  the  com- 
plaint is  heard. 

Art.  164.  If  the  official  decision  of  a 
church  judicatory  is  complained  of,  the 
complaint  shall  be  brought  before  the  next 
higher  judicatory.  Immediate  notice  of 
complaint  shall  be  given,  and  shall  be  re- 
corded by  the  Stated  Clerk  or  Secretary, 
and  the  President  shall  at  once  appoint  a 
committee  to  defend  the  action  of  the  ju- 
dicatory before  the  next  higher  tribunal. 
Duplicate  copies  of  the  complaint  and  of 
the  reasons  for  it  must  be  filed  by  the 
complainant  with  the  Stated  Clerk  or  Sec- 
67 


retary  of  the  body  complained  of  within 
thirty  days  after  the  final  adjournment  of 
the  body.  If  reasons  of  complaint  shall 
have  been  filed  with  the  Stated  Clerk  or 
Secretary  within  the  prescribed  time,  he 
shall  at  once  inform  the  chairman  of  the 
committee  appointed  to  defend  the  judica- 
tory, and  furnish  him  with  one  of  the 
duplicate  copies  of  the  complaint  and  the 
reasons  for  it.  Notice  of  complaint,  to- 
gether with  the  complaint  and  the  reasons 
for  it,  filed  with  the  Stated  Clerk  or  Sec- 
retary, shall  be  certified  by  him  to  the  next 
higher  tribunal,  before  which  at  its  next 
session  such  complaint  shall  be  heard. 

Art.  165.  Neither  the  complainant',  nor 
the  persons  complained  of,  nor  the  members 
of  the  judicatory  complained  of  shall  vote 
in  the  case  in  any  of  the  judicatories  of  the 
Church. 

Art.  166.  Either  of  the  parties  to  a 
complaint  may  complain  to  the  next  higher 
judicatory. 

Art.  167.  The  judicatory  against  which 
a  complaint  is  made  shall  send  up  its 
records  to  the  higher  judicatory,  together 
with  all  papers  relating  to  the  matter  of  the 
complaint. 

Art.   168.     The    same    method    of    pro- 
cedure in  the  hearing  of  a  complaint  shall 
68 


pfevail  as  in  case  of  an  appeal,  as  provided 
in  Articles  179  and  180  of  this  Constitution. 

Art.  169.  The  effect  of  a  complaint,  if 
sustained,  may  be  the  reversal  in  whole  or 
in  part  of  the  action  or  decision  complained 
of.  When  a  complaint  is  sustained,  the 
lower  judicatory  shall  be  directed  how  to 
dispose  of  the  matter. 

Art,  170.  Whenever  a  complaint  is 
entered  against  a  decision  of  a  judicatory 
by  at  least  one-third  of  the  members  re- 
corded as  present  when  the  decision  was 
made,  the  execution  of  the  decision  shall 
be  stayed  until  the  final  issue  of  the  case 
in  a  higher  judicatory. 

Section  9. 

Appeals. 

Art.  171.  An  appeal  is  the  removal  of 
a  judicial  case  by  a  written  representation 
from  a  lower  to  a  higher  judicatory,  and 
may  be  taken  by  either  of  the  original  par- 
ties from  the  judgment  of  the  lower  judica- 
tory. 

Art.  172.  If  an  appeal  is  taken  from 
the  decision  of  a  judicatory  in  a  judicial 
case,  the  judicatory  that  rendered  the  de- 
cision shall  defend  its  position  in  the  higher 
judicatory  by  and  through  such  represen- 
69 


tatives  as  It  may  deem  proper  to  appoint ; 
said  representatives,  however,  shall  be 
ministers  or  elders,  or  both,  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States. 

Art.  173.  Irregularities  in  the  proceed- 
ings ;  refusal  to  entertain  an  appeal ;  re- 
fusal of  reasonable  indulgence  to  a  party 
on  trial ;  receiving  improper,  or  declining 
to  receive  important  testimony ;  undue 
haste;  manifestation  of  prejudice  in  the 
conduct  of  a  case;  mistake  or  injustice  in 
the  decision,  or  in  any  of  the  rulings  of  the 
judicatory  in  the  matters  appertaining  to 
the  case ;  undue  severity  of  sentence — are 
good  and  sufficient  reasons  for  an  appeal. 

Art.  174.  Written  notice  of  appeal, 
with  duplicate  copies  of  specifications  of 
errors  alleged,  shall  be  given,  within  thirty 
days  after  the  adjournment  of  the  judica- 
tory, to  the  Stated  Clerk  or  Secretary  of 
the  judicatory  appealed  from,  and  in  case 
of  his  absence  or  disability  or  death,  to  the 
President  of  it,  who  shall  file  it,  with 
the  records  and  all  papers  appertaining  to 
the  case,  or  a  certified  copy  of  them,  with 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  higher  judicatory, 
on  or  before  the  second  day  of  its  regular 
meeting  next  ensuing  the  date  of  the  re- 
ception of  said  notice,  and  shall  furnish  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
defend  the  judicatorv  with  one  of  the  du- 
70 


plicate    copies    of    specifications    of    errors 
alleofed. 


ts 


Art.  175.  The  appellant  shall  appear, 
in  person  or  by  counsel,  before  the  judica- 
tory appealed  to,  at  or  before  the  close  of 
the  second  day's  session  of  its  stated  meet- 
ing, next  ensuing  the  date  of  the  filing  of 
the  notice  of  appeal,  prepared  to  proceed 
with  tne  appeal.  If  the  appellant  does  not 
appear  before  the  judicatory  appealed  to, 
and  fails  to  show,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judicatory,  that  said  appellant  was  unavoid- 
ably prevented  from  so  doing,  the  appeal 
shall  be  considered  abandoned,  and  the 
judgment  of  the  lower  judicatory  shall 
stand.  The  judicatory  appealed  to  shall 
proceed  to  hear  an  appeal  whether  the  ju- 
dicatory appealed  from  appears  or  not, 
unless  it  is  shown  that  notice  of  appeal 
was  not  properly  served  on  the  judicatory 
appealed  from. 

Art.  176.  All  cases  of  appeal  of  which 
the  records  and  papers,  or  certified  copies 
of  them,  have  been  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  judicatory  appealed 
to,  shall  be  called  up  by  him  as  soon  as 
possible  after  the  permanent  organization 
of  the  judicatory :  he  shall  state  the  names 
of  the  original  parties,  read  the  accusation 
and  the  decision  and  sentence,  state  the 
name  of  the  judicatorv  apnealed  from  and 
71 


the  names  of  the  appellants,  and  read  the 
reasons  filed  for  the  appeal. 

Art.  177.  In  case  the  Stated  Clerk  or 
Secretary  of  the  lower  judicatory  has 
failed  to  file  the  records  of  an  appeal  as 
provided  in  Article  174,  he  shall  be  referred 
to  his  judicatory  to  be  dealt  with  as  the 
case  may  require ;  and  the  appellant  or  the 
judicatory  appealed  from  may  furnish  a 
copy  of  said  records,  and,  provided  both 
shall  agree  as  to  its  correctness,  the  same 
shall  be  taken  as  if  it  had  been  filed  by  the 
Stated  Clerk  or  Secretary, 

Art.  178.  Testimony  that  has  not  been 
brought  before  the  lower  judicatory  shall 
not  be  admitted  in  the  higher,  except  by 
consent  of  both  parties.  If  new  evidence 
arises  which  is  likely  to  alter  the  aspect  of 
the  case  materially,  the  case  must  be  sent 
back  to  the  lower  judicatory  for  a  new 
investigation. 

Art.  179.  After  an  appeal  shall  have 
been  called  up  and  stated  by  the  clerk,  the 
presiding  officer  shall  appoint  a  committee 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  charge  of  all 
the  records  and  papers  in  the  case,  examine 
the  same  thoroughly,  and  report  on  them: 

1.  Whether  or  not  the  appeal  is  regular  and 
ready  for  hearing. 

2.  Propose  to  tlic  judicatory  the  day  and  the 
hour  the  appeal  shall  be  heard. 

72 


^.  The  time  to  be  granted  each  party  to  pre- 
sent the  case. 

Art.  i8o.  When  the  time  appointed 
for  the  hearing  of  an  appeal  arrives,  it  shall 
have  precedence  over  all  other  business 
and  shall  be  heard  as  follows : — 

1.  The  papers  and  records  in  the  case  shall 
be  read  in  proper  order,  except  such  parts  as 
may  be  omitted  by  consent. 

2.  The  parties  shall  be  heard,  the  appellant 
opening  and  closing. 

3.  Opportunity  shall  be  given  to  the  members 
of  the  judicatory  appealed  from  to  be  heard. 

4.  Opportunity  shall  be  given  to  the  members 
of  the  higher  judicatory  to  be  heard. 

5.  The  vote  shall  then  be  taken,  without  fur- 
ther debate,  separately  on  each  specification,  the 
question  being  put  in  the  form :  Shall  the  specifi- 
cation be  sustained?  The  specification  having 
been  read  by  the  clerk  and  the  question  put  by 
the  President,  the  roll  shall  be  called  and  the 
vote  taken.  If  no  one  of  the  specifications  shall  be 
sustained  and  no  error  shall  be  found,  the  judg- 
ment of  the  lower  judicatory  shall  stand.  If  an 
error  or  errors  shall  be  found,  the  judicatory  ap- 
pealed to  shall  determine  whether  the  judgment  of 
the  lower  judicatory  shall  be  reversed  or  modi- 
fied ;  or  the  case  remanded  for  a  new  trial ;  and 
the  decision,  accompanied  with  a  recital  of  the 
error  or  errors  found,  shall  be  entered  on  the 
record.  If  the  judicatory  deems  it  wise,  a  defini- 
tion of  its  action  may  be  adopted,  which  shall  be 
part  of  the  record  of  the  case. 

Art.   181.     Neither    the    appellant    nor 
the    members    of    the   judicatory   appealed 
73 


from  shall  vote  in  the  case  in  any  of  the 
judicatories  of  the  Church. 

Art.  182.  The  necessary  effect  of  an 
appeal  is  to  stay  all  further  proceedings  in 
the  case  of  admonition,  of  censure,  or  of 
erasure  of  name;  but  in  the  case  of  sus- 
pension, or  of  deposition,  or  of  excommuni- 
cation the  jud^^ment  shall  remain  in  force 
until  finally  reversed. 

Art.  183.  The  decision  of  the  last 
judicatory  to  which  an  appeal  has  been 
taken  shall  be  valid  and  binding. 

Section   10. 
Judicial  Committee. 

Art.  184.  The  General  Synod  shall 
have  power  to  appoint  a  Judicial  Com- 
mittee, consisting  of  five  ministers  and 
four  elders,  delegates  to  the  General  Synod, 
not  more  than  two  of  whom  shall  be  ap- 
pointed from  the  delegates  of  the  Classes 
embraced  by  any  one  Synod. 

All  complaints  and  appeals  not  Involv- 
ing charges  of  errors  in  fundamental 
Christian  doctrines,  when  brought  before 
the  General  Synod,  may  be  referred  to  this 
Committee. 

The  Committee  shall  meet  during  the 
sessions  of  the  General  Synod  to  hear  the 
appeals  or  complaints  referred  to  it,  and 
74 


shall  determine,  under  the  provisions  of 
the  Constitution,  the  regularity  or  irregu- 
larity of  all  the  papers,  and  consider  the 
question  or  qualities  at  issue,  and  then  by 
a  majority  shall  come  to  a  decision  on  the 
case.  It  shall  bring  in  a  report  of  its  find- 
ing, giving  a  succinct  statement  of  the 
main  issue.  If  the  General  Synod  by  a 
majority  vote  approves  the  report,  it  shall 
stand  as  the  final  decision  of  the  General 
Synod. 

Important  interests  at  stake  that  are 
likely  to  suffer  in  the  long  interval  be- 
tween the  triennial  meetings  of  the  General 
Synod,  may  be  heard  by  the  Judicial  Com- 
mittee during  the  interval,  the  same  as  if 
the  General  Synod  were  in  session,  provided 
that  both  parties  to  an  appeal  or  a  com- 
plaint unite  in  a  petition  to  the  Committee 
requesting  the  meeting,  and  are  willing  to 
abide  by  the  decision  of  the  Judicial  Com- 
mittee thus  assembled  in  special  session ; 
provided,  further,  that  the  Judicial  Com- 
mittee consents  to  convene  in  special  ses- 
sion, and  that  thirty  days'  notice  of  the 
time,  place  and  purpose  of  the  meeting  is 
given  to  the  parties  to  the  appeal  or  com- 
plaint, and  that  the  necessary  expenses  of 
the  Judicial  Committee  are  paid  by  the  par- 
ties requesting  the  meeting. 

75 


Section   it. 

Restoration. 

Art.  185.  Members  of  the  Church, 
deacons,  elders,  Hcentiates,  or  ministers  who 
are  under  disciphne  may  be  reinstated 
either  by  the  judicatory  which  disciphned 
them,  or,  with  its  official  consent,  by  a  co- 
ordinate judicatory;  provided,  however, 
that  the  evidence  of  their  repentance  and 
amendment  is  satisfactory.  The  reinstate- 
ment of  a  minister  shall  not  be  final  until 
it  shall  have  been  approved  by  the  Synod. 

Art.  186.  A  minister  or  a  licentiate 
who  has  been  deposed  for  the  sin  of 
adultery  or  of  fornication,  or  for  any  of- 
fense that  affixes  a  public  scandal  to  his 
character,  shall  not  be  restored  to  the 
ministry  unless  it  shall  clearly  appear  to 
the  judicatory  which  deposed  him  that  the 
restoration  can  be  effected  without  injury 
to  the  cause  of  religion. 

Art.  187.  If  a  minister  shall  have  been 
deposed  but  not  excommunicated,  he  shall 
be  entitled  to  the  rights  of  a  lay  member; 
and  Classis  shall  furnish  him  with  a  cer- 
tificate to  any  congregation  with  which  he 
may  desire  to  connect  himself.  Such  cer- 
tificate shall  state  his  exact  relation  to  the 
Church. 

76 


Part  IV. 
DOCTRINE  AND  WORSHIP. 

Section  i. 

Doctrine. 

Art.  1 88.  The  Holy  Scriptures  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments,  which  arc 
called  canonical,  being  recognized  as  gen- 
uine and  inspired,  are  received  as  the  true 
and  proper  Word  of  God,  and  the  ultimate 
rule  and  measure  of  the  whole  Christian 
faith  and  doctrine. 

Art.  189.  The  Heidelberg  Catechism  is 
received  as  an  authoritative  expression  of 
the  truths  taught  in  -the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  is  acknowledged  to  be  the  standard  of 
doctrine  in  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States. 

Section  2. 

Worship. 

Art.  190.  The  essential  parts  of  public 
worship  in  the  sanctuary  are  an  invocation, 
singing,  prayer,  reading  the  Word,  preach- 
ing a  sermon,  giving  the  offerings,  and  the 
benediction.  The  order  of  worship  and  the 
selection  of  hymns  approved  or  recom- 
mended by  the  General  Synod  shall  be  used 
in  the  regular  Lord's  Day  service. 
77 


Art.  191.  The  chief  festivals  of  the 
Church  Year — Christmas,  Good  Friday, 
Easter,  Ascension,  Pentecost  and  Trinity 
Sunday — and  all  days  appointed  by  ecclesi- 
astical or  civil  authority  for  fasting  or 
thanksgiving,  should  be  duly  respected  and 
observed  by  congregations  and  families  by 
attending  public  worship  in  their  churches. 

Art.  192.  The  Lord's  Day  (Sunday) 
shall  be  kept  a  holy  day,  devoted  to  the 
public  worship  of  the  Lord  in  the  sanctu- 
ary, to  reading  the  Holy  Scriptures,  to 
private  devotions  and  to  works  of  love  and 
mercy.  Week-day  meetings  for  prayer  and 
daily  family  worship  are  also  commended 
as  important  religious  services. 

Section  3. 

The  Sacraments. 

Art.  193.  The  sacraments  of  the 
Church,  instituted  by  Christ,  are  two:  Holy 
Baptism   and  the  Lord's   Supper. 

Art.  194.  Children  are  received  into 
the  Church  by  baptism  and  are  subject  to 
its  care  and  discipline.  As  soon  as  they 
are  old  enough  to  learn  the  Catechism  and 
to  be  benefited  by  the  pastor's  instruction, 
they  shall  become  members  of  the  cate- 
chetical class. 

Art.   195.     A  child   shall  be  baptized  if 
78 


one  of  its  parents  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church ;  but  if  neither  is  a  mem- 
ber, it  should  not  be  baptized  unless  one  of 
its  parents  shall  manifest  a  desire  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  communion  of  the  Church 
and  promise  to  profit  1^  the  next  oppor- 
tunity, in  which  case  the  child  shall  be 
baptized. 

Art.  196.  Sponsors  may  be  admitted 
in  the  baptism  of  infants,  but  the  parents 
themselves  also  must  assume  every  obliga- 
tion. A  person,  however,  shall  not  be  a 
sponsor  who  is  not  in  full  communion  with 
some  branch  of  the  Christian  Church.  This, 
in  connection  with  the  previous  article,  shall 
not  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  persons 
who  adopt  orphans  or  other  children  into 
their  families  from  offering  them  to  God 
in  baptism. 

Art.  197.  Adults  shall  be  baptized,  if 
a  minister  has  ascertained  that  they  possess 
correct  views  of  Christian  doctrine,  give 
evidence  of  true  repentance  and  faith,  and 
are  willing  to  yield  obedience  to  the  re- 
quirements of  Christ.  But  if  in  these 
respects  the  minister  discovers  deficiencies, 
he  shall  direct  them  to  attend  the  usual 
catechetical  instruction,  and  shall  afterward 
proceed  in  relation  to  them  as  with  other 
catechumens.  If  this,  ho-vever,  is  impracti- 
79 


cable,  he  shall  instruct  them  in  some  other 
suitable   way. 

Art.  198.  Baptism  shall  be  administer- 
ed publicly  in  the  church,  if  possible.  The 
forms  provided  in  the  liturgy  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States  shall 
be  used. 

Art.  199.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  shall  be  observed  publicly  in  every 
congregation  at  least  twice  a  year,  and  the 
celebration  conducted  according  to  the  es- 
tablished order  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  the  United  States. 

Art.  200.  A  service  shall  be  held  pre- 
paratory to  the  observance  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  A  meeting  of  the  Spiritual  Coun- 
cil shall  be  held  before  the  communion  is 
administered,  and  diligent  inquiry  shall  be 
made  whether  any  member  has  departed 
from  the  faith  either  in  doctrine  or  in 
practice,  to  the  end  that  all  improper  per- 
sons may  be  excluded  from  the  Lord's 
table;  and  if  the  elders  neglect  this  duty, 
the  pastor  is  empowered  to  exercise  it.  In 
the  congregational  records  the  dates  on 
which  the  holy  communion  has  been  ad- 
ministered and  the  names  of  the  members 
who  have  communed  shall  be  noted. 

Art,  201.    Only  members  of  the  Church 
80 


who  are  in  full  membership  and  not  under 
discipline  shall  be  admitted  to  the  com- 
munion of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Members, 
in  good  standing,  of  other  congregations 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  of  other  de- 
nominations holding  the  essential  doctrines 
of  the  gospel,  should  be  invited  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  observance  of  this  sacrament. 

Art.  202.  The  Lord's  Supper  shall  be 
administered  to  the  sick  and  infirm  com- 
municants who  are  not  able  to  come  to  the 
house  of  God  and  who  express  a  desire  to 
receive  the  sacrament.  An  elder  shall  con- 
vey the  elements  to  such  persons  when  the 
pastor  cannot  minister  to  them.  When- 
ever possible  the  bread  and  wine  consecrat- 
ed in  the  church  shall  be  used. 

Section  4. 

Rites. 

Art.  203.  Confirmation,  ordination  and 
marriage  are  sacred  church  rites,  which 
shall  be  administered  according  to  the 
order  prescribed  in  the  liturgy  of  the 
Church. 

Art.  204.  Every  pastor  shall  carefully 
prepare  the  youth  in  his  pastoral  charge 
for  communicant  membership  in  the  Church 
by  diligently  instructing  them  in  the  doc- 
trines and  duties  of  the  Christian  religion. 
6  81 


The  Heidelberg  Carechism  shall  be  used 
in  such  instruction. 

Art.  205.  Before  admitting  applicants 
for  confirmation  into  full  communion  with 
the  Church,  the  Spiritual  Council  shall  be 
satisfied  that  the  candidates  understand  the 
fundamental  truths  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion and  are  governed  by  them  in  their 
walk  and  conversation. 

Art.  206.  In  the  act  of  ordination, 
whether  in  the  case  of  a  minister,  an  elder, 
or  a  deacon,  only  ordained  ministers  and 
elders  of  the  Church  shall  take  part,  as 
provided  in  Article  60  of  this  Constitution. 
A  person  once  ordained,  whether  he  is  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  an  elder,  or  a  dea- 
con, is  ordained  to  his  particular  office  for 
life. 

Art.  207.  Marriage  is  an  ordinance  of 
God  and  should  be  solemnized  in  accord- 
ance with  the  laws  of  the  Church  as  well 
as  of  the  State.  A  minister  shall  not  unite 
in  marriage  a  divorced  person  who  is 
knowti  to  have  been  the  guilty  party  in  a 
divorce  decree  on  the  ground  of  adultery, 
which  is  the  only  Scriptural  ground. 

Art.  208.  ]\Iembers  of  the  Church, 
having  died  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the 
gospel,  shall  receive  a  Christian  burial ;  the 
burial  service  shall  be  conducted  according 
to  the  order  prescribed  by  the  Church, 


AMENDMENTS. 

Art.  209.  This  Constitution  may  be 
amended  or  altered  in  any  article  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  the  General  Synod,  with  the 
concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  Classes. 


S3 


CONTENTS. 


ARTrCLW. 

Preamble     


Part   T.      Membhiis — Congregations — Offices 1-49 

Section   1.      Members     1-0 

Section   2.      Congregations      7-14 

Section   3.      Offices    15-49 

I.  Ministers  of  the    Word    lG-42 

1.  Ministers   of  the  Word    10-24 

2.  Teachers   of   Theology    25-31 

3.  Licentiates     32-39 

4.  Students    for    the    iSIinistry    40-42 

II.  Elders  and  Deacons    43-49 

Part    II.     JumcATORirs    50-122 

Section   1.      Judicatories  in  General    50-G2 

Section   2.      The   Consistory    03-71 

Section  3.     The    Spiritual    Council    72-78 

Section  4.     The   Classis    79-97 

Section  5.     The  Synod   98-109 

Section  6.     The   General    Synod    110-123 

s5 


ARfICL«. 

Part  III.     Discipline   123-187 

Section  1.     Discipline   in   General    123-127 

Section  2.  Members — Unconfirmed    and    Con- 
firmed     128-130 

Section  3.  Ministers,    Elders   and    Deacons.  .  .131-135 

Section  4.      Parties   in   Cases   of  Process 136-139 

Section  5.      Charges   and    Specifications    140 

Section   6.      Process   and   Trial    141-156 

Section  7.      References    157-160 

Section  8.      Complaints    161-170 

Section  9.     Appeals .171-183 

Section  10.    Judicial   Committee    184 

Section  11.     Restoration     185-187 

Part   IV.     Doctrine  and  Worship    188-208 

Section   1.      Doctrine    1 88-189 

Section  2.     Worship    100-192 

Section  3.     The    Sacraments    193-202 

Section   4.      Rites     203-208 

Amendments 209 


1  N  D  e:  XJ 


A 

Art. 

t^cceptance    of    a    call    by    a    minister 17 

Access   to    congregational    records    by    Classis 86 

Access   to   minutes   by    Classis    68,78 

Accuser,   the    137 

Accusation   against  a  teacher   of   theology 30 

Accusation  in  case  of  scandal,  when  to  be  presented.   135 

Accused,    the;    definition    137 

Acknowledgment   of   guilt    150 

Action  of  Classis  on  actions,  etc.,  of  General   Synod.     92 

Action  of  Classis  on  actions  of   Synod   101 

Action  of  Classis  on  ordinances  of  the  Synod 103 

Administrative    cases    127 

Admission  of  independent  congregations    8 

Admission  to   the   Lord's    Supper    201 

Admission  of   members    71 

Admission  of  members   from   other  churches 4 

Admission  of  ministers  and  licentiates    87,89 

Admission  of  ministers  from  other  denominations.  .87,  24 

Admonition    125 

Admonition  for  neglect  of  duty 130 

Adoption  or    rejection   of   ordinances   of   the    Church.    119 

Adults,  baptism   of    197 

Advisory   members    61 

Affirmation     151 

Agreements   of   Synod    109 

Amenability  of  delegates     57 

Amenability  of  dismissed  ministers    88 

Amenability  of  members    128 ' 

Amenability  of  teachers  and   officers  of  a   seminary.  .    105 

Amenability  of  teachers   of   theology    30 

Amendment  of  accusation    and    specifications 149 

Amendment  of  Constitution    209 

Amendment  of  forms     118 

Announcement   of   sentence    156 

Annual  meeting  of  Classis    82 

Annual  meeting  of   congregation    11 

Annual  meeting  of    Synod    98,100,101 

87 


Annulment  Ceasinj,' 

Apt. 

Annulment    of   appointments    88 

Appeals 171-183 

Appeals,   calling    up    of 176 

Appeal,  copy    of    174 

Appeal,  definition     171 

Appeal   to   Classis     86 

Appeal  to   General   Synod    114 

Appeal  to  higher    judicatory     51 

Appeal,   reason   for    173 

Appeal,  sustaining    of    180 

Appeal  to    Synod     103 

Appeal,  vote    on    , ISO 

Appeal,  who   may  ?    171 

Application    for    license 33 

Appointment    of   judicial   committee 184 

Appointments,  annulment   of    88 

Approval   of   incorporation    9 

Approval    of    restoration    185 

Assistant    counsel    138 

Authority   of   Constitution   ..••*..*»•. Preamble 

B 

Baptism 3 

Baptism,  adult    197 

Baptism,   form    of    198 

Baptism,  infant     194-196 

Baptism,   place   of    198 

Baptized  persons    1 

Bar   of   the  house 83 

Bible,  the,   the   Word  of  God 7 

Boards    of    a    seminary    105 

Borrowing  of  money    12 

Boundaries   of  congregations  and  charges 86 

Burial    service 208 

Business  at  special  meetings   58 

By-laws  of  congregations    10 

c 

Call    from    a    charge    17 

Call  of  a  minister  of  the  Word   16 

Call  of  a  pastor,  by  whom  issued 70 

Call  of  a  teacher    of    theology    109 

Call   of  yeas  and  nays    62 

Canonical    Scriptures    188 

Catechetical   instruction    194 

Catechism,   Heidelberg    189 

Ceasing  of  official  character  of  elders  and  deacons..  14 
88 


Censurd  Classifi 

Art. 

Censure     125,  126,  145 

Certificate  of  dismission  of  a  Classis,  how  long  valid?     89 

Certificate  of  dismission,  how  long  valid?    5 

Certificate  of   dismission   of   a  member    76 

Certificate  of    licensure    35 

Certificate  from    a    seminary    33 

Certificate,  students',    for    Classis     42 

Certifying  of  documents   in   cases   of  complaint 164 

Change   of   committee   in   process    138 

Change  of   denomination      22 

Change  of   time   and   place    59 

Charges  against  a  pastor   having  left  the   Church....      22 

Charges  against    the    president     142 

Charges  against   the   stated  clerk    142 

Charges,  copy   to  be   filed    141 

Charges,   record    of    155 

Lhiirges   and   specifications    140 

Charter  of  a  congregation    9 

Church-record     18 

Circular  letter  for  special   meetings 93,108,113 

Citation    of    a    minister    134 

Citation,    second     144 

Citations,  by  whom   issued   143 

Classis 50 ;  79-97 

Classis,  advisory   members   and    visitors    61 

Classis,  amenability   of   a   teacher   of   theology 30 

Classis,  amendment  of  the   Constitution    209 

Classis,   appeals     171 

Classis,  basis    of    representation     98,  111 

Classis,  call    of   a   minister    17 

Classis,  change   of   time   of   regular   meeting 59 

Classis,  church-records      68 

Classis,  committees      00,  S3 

Classis,   complaints 161ss 

Classis,   deaconess    homes    49 

Classis,  deposition      187 

Classes   of    different   languages    52 

Classis,  dissolution    of    103 

Classis,   dissolution   of   a   charge    13 

Classis,   dissolution  of  a  congregation    li 

Classis,  election    of    delegates    55,  67 

Classis,  executive    committee    04 

Classis    and    General    Synod     114 

Classis,  incorporation   of   a   congregation    9 

Classis,   language    of     52 

Classis,  membership    of    a    pastor    20 

Classis,  minister  joining  another   denomination   irreg- 
ularly         28 

89 


Ciassiri  t'otnpiiiint 

ART, 

Classis,  minutes   of  the    Spiritual   Council    '. 78 

Classis,  officers    of    54 

Classis,   organization    of   a   congregation    .  .' 8 

Classis,  parochial   reports,   reports   of   members   of....      84 

Classis,  pension      23 

Classis,   petition    for    the   organization    of   a   congrega- 
tion            8 

Classis,  powers    of    85 

Classis,  protest     62 

Classis,   questions    to   elders    84 

Classis,  quorum    80 

Classis,   reception   of  a  minister   from  another   denom- 
ination     87,  24 

Classis,   references     157 

Classis,   references   from  General  Synod   118,  119 

Classis,  relation   of    Synod  to    103 

Classis,  report  to   Synod   101,  102 

Classis,   resignation    of   a   pastor    19 

Classis,   roll     53 

Classis,   seat  and   vote   of  a  pastor   emeritus 23 

Classis,  secular  calling   of  a  minister    21 

Classis,   special    meeting    of     58 

Classis,  special   meeting   for   trial    143 

Classis,   students   under    care   of    41,  42 

Classis,  supply    20 

Classis,  suspensions,    etc    133 

Classis,   trial    of    a    minister 131,132,134,135 

Classis,   vacant    congregations    70,  133 

Classis,   willful   neglect    of 91 

Closed    sessions    147 

Committee  for    appeal     179 

Committee   for  defence  in  cases  of  complaint 164 

Committee  for  ordination  and  installation    60 

Committees,   how   constituted    60 

Committee   of    Synod    for   minutes   of   Classis 101 

Committee   on   the    state   of   religion 84 

Committee   to  conduct   a   process 138 

Communicant   members    2 

Communion     199-202 

Complaint     51 

Complaints    lGl-170 

Complaint  against   officers   of   the    Church — copy   of.  .    163 

Comi)laint  against   judicatory   of   the    Church 164 

Complaint  before    Classis     86 

Complaint    before    General    Synod 114 

Complaint  before    Synod    10,3 

Complaint,   right    of    160 

Complaint,  sustaining   of    169 

90 


Ootnplaint  (io\)^ 

Art. 

Complaint,   when    in   order 161,  162 

Complaint,   who   may    bring?    161 

Conduct    of   a   minister    „ 132 

Confirmation     2,  3,  203 

Confirmation  of  a  call  of  a  pastor    17 

Congregational  meeting,  by  whom  called    68 

Congregations      7-14 

Consecration  of  a  minister   16 

Consent  of   Classis  to  perform   pastoral   duties 17 

Consent    of   General    Synod    for    establishing   theolog- 
ical    seminaries      105 

Consequences  of  decisions  in   appeals    180,  182 

Consistory     43-48,  50,  63-78 

Consistory,  advisory    members    and    visitors     61 

Consistory,  appeals     171  ss 

Consistory    as    trustees    9,  12 

Consistory,  certificate    of    dismission     5 

Consistory,  complaints     161ss 

Consistory,  congregational    meetings     11 

Consistory,  discipline     123-127,  129,  131-133 

Consistory,   duty   of  elders    128,  130 

Consistory,   duties  of  Spiritual  Council.  84,  4;  200,  202,  205 

Consistory,  election  of   delegates    55-57 

Consistory,  joint    13 

Consistory,  members   of   other   denomir.-tions    4 

Consistory    of  a   newly  organized  congregation 8 

Consistory,   ordination     206 

Consistory,    organization,     etc.,    of    charges 86 

Consistory,      protest      , 62 

Consistory,  quorum    of    64,  70 

Consistory,   references     157ss 

Consistory,   resignation    of   the   pastor    19 

Consistory    restoration    185ss 

Consistory,  secretary    of    18 

Consistory,  special   meeting   for   process   and   trial....    143 

Consistory,  when   official   chailicter   ceases    14 

Constitution,  authority    of    Preamble 

Constitution  and  by-laws  of  congregation    10 

Contributions  for  the  maintenance  of  the  ministry...        6 

Contributions  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel 6 

Controversies    between    Classes    103 

Controversies     between    ministers    and    congregations 

of    different    Classes    103 

Controversies  between   Synods  and   Classes 114 

Controversies,   deciding   of    , 86 

Copy  of  appeals     174 

Copy  of  charges     141 

Copy  of  complaint  against  a  judicatory 164 

01 


Copy  Dismission 

Art. 

Copy  of  complaint    against    officers    163 

Copy  of  minutes    of    Classis     95 

Copy  of  minutes   in   judrcial   cases    155 

Correspondence    with    sister    churches     114 

Counsel   for  the  accused    144 

Counsel,   who  can   be  ?    148 

Counsel   of  General   Synod    114 

Counsel  of   Synod  to  Classis   103 

Credentials     53 

Credentials   of  delegates    67,  95 

Credentials  of  delegates   to   Synod    121 

Credentials  of  Synod    109 

Cross-examination    of   witnesses    146 

D 

Days    of    fasting    191^ 

Deacons 43-49 

Deacons,  definition    and    duties   of    45 

Deaconesses     • 4^ 

Deaths   of   ministers   and  licentiates 97 

Decision,  final,    in    appeals    183 

Decision  in    judicial    proceedings     156 

Decision  of  process  to  be   recorded    155 

Declaration   of  a   teacher   of   theology    27 

Defence  against   appeal    172 

Definition  of  congregation     7 

Definition   of  deacon     45 

Definition  of  elder    43 

Definition  of  licentiate     32 

Definition  of  student   for  the  ministry    40 

Delegated  bodies    55 

Delegates  to   Classis  and   Synod 67 

Demand   for  a   special   meeting  of  the   Consistory....      66 

Deposition    of   a   minister    22,  85 

Deposition    from    office    97,101,125,131,153,156 

Deposition   from  office  of  a  minister,  elder,  or  deacon  1.11 

Deprivation  of  rights    2 

Discipline      16,  123-187 

Discipline,   definition 123 

Discipline    in    dissolved    Classes    96 

Discipline    in    dissolved    congregations     14 

Discipline,  first   resort    72 

Discipline,   what  demands?    124 

Discipline,   wherein    it   consists    125 

Dismissed  members   5 

Dismissed  members,   to   whom  amenable 88 

Dismission     97,  101 

Dismission,  certificate   of    2,  4,  5 


Dismission  Evidence 

Art. 

Dismission,  certificate   of,  of  a  member 76 

Dismission   of  a   minister   or   licentiate 88,89 

Disputed  credentials    53 

Disqualification  of  a  teacher  of  theology 30 

Dissolution  of  a  charge     13,  86 

Dissolution  of  a  Classis     96,  103 

Dissolution  of  a  congregation     14 

Divorce,  ground  of 207 

Divorced   persons,   marriage   of 207 

Doctrine     188,  189 

Doctrine    and    worship     188-208 

Documents   of    General    Synod,    preservation   of 120 

Duty,  admonition    for   neglect    of 130 

Duty,  neglect  of  in   appeals    177 

Duties  of  appellant     175 

Duties  of  deaconesses     49 

Duties  of  delegates    57 

Duties  of  elders   and   deacons    44,  45 

Duties  of  members  of  the   Church    6 

Duties  of  ministers  of  the  Word   16 

Duties  of  parents    6 

Duties  of  president  of   Classis   83 

Duties  of   the   stated  clerk    53 

Duties  of  the    stated    clerk    of    Synod    109 

Duties  of  teachers    of    theology    27,  28 

Duties  and  powers    of   the    Consistory    63,68 

Duties  and  powers  of  the    Executive   Committee    ....      94 

Duties  and  powers   of   the    Spiritual    Council    74 

Duties  and  powers  of  the  stated  clerk  of  Classis 95 

E 

Education     of     ministers     106 

Effect  of  suspension   or  deposition   from   office 133 

Effect   of   sustaining   a  complaint    169 

Elders    and    deacons     43-49 

Elders  as  delegates    56 

Elders  at  General  Synod Ill 

Election  of  a  pastor    70 

Election  of  a  student   forbidden    71 

Election   of  a  teacher   of   theology    25 

Election  of  ^delegates     55 

Election   of  elders    and    deacons 46 

Election   of  elders  in   a   new  congregation    8 

Erasure   from   roll   of   membership    130 

Erasure  of    name     125 

Erasure    of   name    of   a    minister 22,97,101 

Evidence 151 

Evidence,  new,  in  cases  of  appeal   178 


Examiuatioa  General 

Art. 

Examination  of  candidates    for   the   ministry    33,85 

Examination   of     catechumens 205 

Examination  of   ministers    of    other    denominations...      24 

Exclusion   of  members   from  congregations    74 

Excomnuinication      125,  129 

Excommunication   of   a  minister    22 

Exceptions  to  be   recorded    154 

Exceptions  to  charges   and    specifications    149 

Exceptions  to  decisions    151 

Exceptions  to  jurisdiction,    regularity,   etc 149 

Exceptions  to  rulings      154 

Exceptions  to  witnesses      152 

Executive   Committee  of   Classis    94 

Expenses   of  delegates    57 

Expenses  of  Executive   Committee    94 

Expenses  of  special   meetings   of   Classis    93 

F 

FaMA     CLAMOrA    132 

Family   worship    192 

Festivals  of  the   Church-year    191 

Final   decision    of  appeals    183 

Foreign   missions    •  •  •  •  115 

Form   for  license    35 

Form,    statistical    95 

Forms,  Church   118 

Formation   of  new  charges    86 

Full   membership    3 

Fundamental    law    Preamble 


General     Synod 50,  110-122 

General   Synod,  advisory  members  and   visitors    61 

General   Synod,  amendment  of  the  Constitution 209 

General   Synod,  appeals     50,  171ss 

General   Synod,   call    of    a    minister    70 

General   Synod,  change    of   time   of   meeting    59 

General   Synod,  committees     60 

General   Synod,  complaints    50,  161ss 

General   Synod,  credentials     53,  95 

General  Synod,  delegates    57,  88 

General   Synod,   forms      84,  143,  145,  118 

General   Synod,  Judicial    Committee     184 

General   Synod,  licensure,    etc 97 

General   Synod,   officers   of    54 

General   Synod,    order   of  worship,   etc 190 

General  Synod,  pensions   ,,,,,,,,..,     83 


n 


General  Jurisdiction 

ART. 

General   Synod,  protest    62 

General   Synod,  quorum    of    Ill 

General   Synod,   references     50,  157ss 

General   Synod,  roll    of    53 

General  Synod,  rules  of  order    82 

General    Synod,  special    meeting   of    58 

General   Synod,  suspended    ministers    98 

General   Synod,  theological    seminaries    105 

Good   and   regular   standing,   how   lost 130 

Guilt,    acknowledgment   of    150 

H 

Heidelberg   Catechism    7,189,204 

Holy    Scriptures,    authority    of    188 

Home    missions    115 

Hymnals     „ 190 

Hymns    190 

I 

III   Reports 132 

Incorporation   of  a  congregation    9 

Independent  congregations    8 

Index  of   register  of  ordinations,  etc 122 

Infant     baptism      194-196 

Injury,  personal 139 

Inspiration   of   the   Holy   Scriptures    188 

Installation    of   a   pastor    17,  206 

Installation   of  a  teacher   of  theology 27 

Instruction     3 

Instruction  of  catechumens    204 

Investigation  of  ill  report   132 

Irregular  credentials    53 

J 

Joint  Consistory 13.65 

'Judicatories 50-122 

Judicatories,    authority   and   jurisdiction   of    :')(( 

Judicatories,  change  of  time  and  place  of  meeting  of.      .')9 

judicatory,   highest    110 

Judicial  case,    what  constitutes   a?    127 

Judicial  cases   between   meetings  of   General    Synod..    184 

Judicial     Committee      184 

Jurisdiction   in  cases  of  complaint 164 

Jurisdiction  of    a    Classis    79 

Jurisdiction  of  a    Classis   in   case   of   dissolution   of   a 

congregation    14 

Jurisdiction  of  General    Synod    ,,,,,.,..,   JIO 


Jurisdiction  Ministerial 

Art. 

Jurisdiction   of  Judicial    Committee    184 

Jurisdiction   of  a    Synod    103 

Jurisdiction  of  Synods    in    dissolution    of    Classes....  96 

Jurisdiction  of  a    Joint-Consistory    65 

Jurisdiction  of  a    pastor    77 

L 

Languages     of     Classes 52 

Leaving  a   pastoral   charge    19 

Licensure   97,  101 

Licensure,    applicant   for    33 

Licensure  in  exceptional  cases 34 

Licentiates     32-39 

Licentiates  from  other  denominations    39 

Licentiates,  relation  of,  to   Classis  and  Synod 36 

Limits  of  a  Consistory  in  calling  a  pastor 69 

Literary   institutions    104 

Liturgy     190 

Lord's  Day,  the    192 

Lord's  Supper,    the    199-202 

Lord's   Supper,  administered    to    the    sick    and    feeble    202 

Lord's   Supper,  duties  of  the  Spiritual  Council 200 

.  Lord's   Supper,   form  of 199 

Lord's  Supper,  neglect  of 130 

Lord's  Supper,  partaking  of 6 

M 

Maintenance  of  the  house  of  worship. 12 

Marriage     203,  207 

Marriage  of   divorced  persons    ^ 207 

Meeting  for  the  hearing  of  a  case   143 

Members     1-6 

Members,  communicant   2 

Members,  non-con-firmed  and  confirmed 128-130 

Members  of  Classis     79 

Members  of  General  Synod    110 

Members  of  Judicial  Committee    184 

Members  of  other  churches  may  be  received 4 

Members,     Synod      184 

Members  of  the    Consistory    63 

Members  under  the  care  of  the  Church 1 

Membership  of  the  licentiate   j. 38 

Membership,  smallest,  of  a  Classis 80 

Memorial  for  organization , 8 

Ministerial    functions  in  the  charge   of  another 20 

Ministerial  functions  of   a  pastor  emeritus 23 

Ministerial  functions,  prevention  of , ,  1^} 

9Q 


Ministers  Obaervations 

AUT. 

Ministers,  elders  and  deacons,  discipline 131-135 

Ministers  of  the  Word 16-24 

Ministers'   widows    117 

Minutes  in  cases   of   complaint    167 

Minutes  in  cases    of    reference    160 

Minutes  in  judicial   cases    155,  156 

Minutes  of  Classes,  and  copy  of   95 

Minutes  of   the  congregation    11 

Minutes   (records)   of  decisions    151 

Minutes  of  General   Synod   » 120 

Minutes  of  Spiritual  Council   78 

Minutes  of   Synod      109 

Minutes  of  the   Consistory    68 

Missionary  operations  by  General   Synod 106 

Missionary  work  of  a  Synod 106 

Missions,   foreign       115 

Missions,     home      115 

Mitigation  of  sentence  and  motion  for   156 

Motion  for  new  trial   156 

N 
Neglect  of  duty  in  appeals o 177 

Neglect  of  the  Lord's   Supper    130 

Neglect  on  the  part  of  the   Spiritual  Council    77 

New  evidence,  appeals   178 

Nomination  of  candidates   for   vacant  charge 70 

Nomination  of  delegates    55 

Nomination  of  elders  and  deacons   48 

Notice  of  appeal     174 

Notice  of  appeal  in  case  of  censure 126 

Notice  of  appeal  to  be  recorded   155 

Notice  of  censure    126 

Notice  of  complaint      161,  163,  164 

Notice  of  dismission  of  a  member    5 

Notice     of    reception     5 

Notice  of  reception  of  a  minister   90 

Notice  of  special    meeting   of    a   congregation 11 

Notice  of  special   meeting  of   Consistory    66 

Notice  of  suspension,    etc 129 

Notification  of  the  accuser      143 

Notification  of  the  president  in  cases  of   accusation..  141 

Number  of  elders  and  deacons    46,  48 

Number  of  sacraments     193 

O 

Obedience    to    the    Constitution,    etc 6 

Observation  of  Church    festivals 191 

Observation  of  the  Lord's   Supper    199 

7  97 


OffsDM  Prevention 

Art. 

Offence,  definition  and  enumeration    124,  130 

Offence    of    a   minister,    elder,    or    deacon 131 

Office  of  deacon,  definition   of 45 

Office  of  elder,    definition    of    43 

Officers  of  Classis,    election    of 82 

Officers   of  a  judicatory   54 

OfUces      15 

Opening  and  close  of  a  judicatory   53 

Opening  of  a  Classis    82 

Opening  of  General   Synod 112 

Opening    of    a    Synod     100 

Open  session   at   trial   147 

Order  of  worship 190 

Order,  questions  of,   in   processes 151 

Ordinance  of  the  Church,  adoption  of 119 

Ordinances  of  the  Church ll'^ 

Ordination 97,  101,  203 

Ordination  and  installation  of  a  minister 206 

Ordination  for  life    206 

Ordination  of  a  licentiate    37 

Ordination  of  elders  and  deacons   46 

Organization  of  a  congregation     7,  8,  86 

Organization  of  a  new   Synod    114 

Organization   of  Classis    103 

Organization    of    a    new    congregation 86 

Organization   of   Synod     100 

Organization  of  the  General  Synod   112 

Orphans,  baptism    of 196 

Orphans'   Homes    , 115 

P 

Parochial  report  at  Classis   84 

Parties    in    cases    of    process 136-139 

Pastor  emeritus    23 

Pastor's   residence    17 

Pastoral   relation,   how   constituted  and   dissolved 85 

Pastoral  report  of  minister   without  charge 84 

Pension  of  a  teacher  of  theology 31 

Personal  injuries   139 

Place  of  baptism    198 

Prayer    meetings     192 

Permission   to  preach    32 

Permission  to  preach   in   vacant  congregations    38 

Preparatory    service     200 

Preservation   of    documents   of   General   Synod 120 

President  of  the   Consistory      64 

President  of  the  Spiritual    Council     73 

Prevention  of  ministerial  functions   131 

98 


Private  ftefusal 

Art. 

Private    devotions    6 

Privileges  of  the  Church     2 

Privileges  of  licentiates      36 

Privileges   of  students 42 

Procedure    in    cases    of    appeal 177,180 

Procedure  in  cases  of  complaint     162,  168 

Procedure  in  cases  of  reference    160 

Process,    a   new    156 

Frocess  and  trial    141-156 

Property  of  congregations     12 

Property  of  a   dissolved  congregation    14 

Property  of  a  dissolved  Classis     96 

Protest    166 

Provision  for  vacant  charges    70 

Public  scandal     129 

Public   services,    attendance     6 

Public   worship,   neglect  of    130 

Publication    Board   107 

Publications     107 

Purchase  and  sale  of  property 12 


Qualifications  of  elders  and  deacons 47,  48 

Qualities  of  a  candidate    for   professor   of   theology..      26 

Qualities   of  a    licentiate    33 

Qualities  of  elders   and   deacons    47,  48 

Questions  to  ministers  and  elders  at  Classis 84 

Quorum  of  a  Synod 99 

Quorum  of  a   Classis    80 

Quorum  of  a   Consistory      64 

Quorum  of  General  Synod      Ill 

Quorum  of   Spiritual    Council    73 


Ratio  of  representation  at  delegate  Synod 98 

Ratio  of  representation  at  General   Synod    Ill 

Reading  of  written  testimony 146 

Reasons    for   an    appeal    173 

Reception   of  congregations  from  other  churches *     8 

Reconciliation,    means    of    139 

Reconstruction   of  charges   86 

Record  of  decisions     151 

Record  of  members  having  communed    200 

Reference  of  Constitution     209 

Reference   of  refusal   to   receive    90 

References     51,  86,  101,  157-160 

Refusal  to  appear     134,  144 

99 


Refusal  Rights 

ARt. 

Refusal  to  confirm  a  call 17 

Refusal  to  give    final    judgment 159 

Refusal  to  receive   into   Classis    90 

Register   of  ordinations   and   licensures 122 

Reinstatement      130 

Reinstatement    of   a    minister 185 

Religion,   report   on   state   of,   of  Classis 84 

Religious  books  and   literature    107 

Remitting  of  a   case   to  a   lower  judicatory 159 

Remitting  of  an   appeal 178 

Removal   from    oMce    97,101,125,131,133,156 

Renewal   of  profession    2,  4 

Repairs   12 

Report  of  Board  of  Publication  to   General   Synod...  107 

Report  of  Classical     committees      84 

Report  of  Classis   to   Synod   and   General    Synod 92 

Report  of  Judicial   Committee    184 

Report  of  students   to    Classis    42 

Report  of   Synod   to    General    Synod    109 

Report  of  Board   of   a   seminary    30 

Report  of   Committee    on    Appeals 179 

Report  of  the    Executive    Committee   of   Classis 94 

Report   of  the   several   Boards  to  General   Synod 115 

Report  of  the    Stated    Clerk    of   a    Classis    to    General 

Synod   95 

Report  of  vacant  charge  to    Classis    84 

Report  on   examination   of  a   candidate    33 

Representation  of  Classes    in    General    Synod Ill 

Representation  of  congregations   in   Classis    81 

Representation  of  Classes    by    Executive    Committee..  94 

Requests  from  Classes  to  Synod 101 

Required  age   for   ordination    37 

Requirements    for    ordination     37 

Resignation  of  a  pastor      19 

Resignation  of  a  pastor   requested    19 

Resignation  of  a  teacher   of   theology    31 

Resort,  first,   in   cases  of   discipline 72 

Resort,  last,   in   all  cases   respecting  government 110 

Restoration 185-187 

Restoration,  obstacles  to    186 

Restoration  of  a  minister    85 

Review  of  proceedings   of  Classis  by   Synod 101 

Right  of  complaint  to  higher  judicatory 1G6 

Rights  of  a  deposed  minister   187 

Rights  of  Classis      85 

Rights  of  Classis  in  vacant  charges 70 

Rights  and  duties  of   General  Synod 1143s 

100 


fiites  Synod 

Art. 

Rites 203-208 

Roll     of     Classis     82 

Koll  of  judicatories     5:^ 

Rule  of  faith  and  doctrine   7,  183 

Rules  of  order  of  Classis  and  Synod 100,83 


Sacraments     193-202 

Sale    of    property     14 

Seal  of  Classis      95 

Seal   of   Synod    109 

Secular  calling  of  a  minister   16,  21 

Sentence,    pronouncing   of   sentence 150 

Service    at    burial 208 

Serving  a  citation    143 

Sinful  ways   of  the  unconfirmed   128 

Sister   churches    1^4 

Special  meeting    of    a    judicatory     58 

Special  meeting  of  a  congregation      11,12 

Special  meeting  of   Classis    93 

Special  meeting  of  General    Synod     113 

Special  meeting  of  Synod     lOS 

Special  meeting     of     Consistory      66 

Special    meeting    of    the    Spiritual    Council 75 

Spiritual  Council,    the    43,  72-78 

Spiritual    Council,    stated    meeting    of    75 

Spiritual    Council,    dismission   of   members    76 

Sponsors     ^^^ 

Standard   of   doctrine    189 

Stated  Clerk  as   acting  president    9-'? 

Stated  Clerk  of   Classis   95 

Stated   Clerk   of    General    Synod    j^ 120 

Stated  Clerk  of  Synod    109 

Statistical  report    •, 84 

Staying  of  decision   in  cases  of  complaint 170 

Students     for     the     ministry.... 40-42 

Students    under    care    of    Classis     41 

Sunday      ?92 

Sunday-school     work      115 

Supply,   regular    20 

Support  of  the  Church    130 

Support  of  minister    17 

Support    of    superannuated    ministers 117 

Stupension •  .97,  101,  125,  129,  133,  134,  145 

Synod    50,  98-109 

Synod,  accusation  against  a  teacher  of  theology 30 

Synod,  accusation  and    specifications    140 

Synod,    advisory    members    and    visitors... 61 

101 


Synod  theological 

ART. 

Synod,  annulment    of    appointments     S8 

Synod,  appeals      51,  ITlss 

Synod  as  a   delegated  body    98 

Synod,    censure    126 

Synod,  change  of  time   of  regular  meeting 59 

Synod,  committees     60 

Synod,  committee   in   judicial  cases    133 

Synod,  complaints      51,  I61ss 

Synod,  counsel    of    General    Synod     114 

Synod,  credentials     05 

Synod,   decisions   on   exception   against  m-r.nster 90 

Synod,   delegates    55.  r-7 

Synod,   defines    boundaries    of    Classis     79 

Synod,   different  languages    53 

Synod,    duties  of  delegates   57 

Synod,   election    and     installation     of      a     teacher     of 

theology      25,  27 

Synod  in  general  convention    98 

Synod,  jurisdiction    over    a    dissolved    Classis     96 

Synod,    minutes     of    Classes     95 

Synod,  officers   of 54 

Synod,    pension    of    teacher    of    theology 31 

Synod,   process   and   trial    141ss 

Synod,   protest    62 

Synod,  quorum     99 

Synod,  references     51,  157ss 

Synod,  reinstatement  of  a  minister    185 

Synod,   review  of  proceedings    114 

Synod,   right    of    confirming    reception    of    a    minister 

from    another    church     , 87 

Synod,  roll    of    53 

Synod,  special   meeting  of    58 

T 

TfiACHElR  Of  THEOtOGY 25-31 

Teacher  of  theology,  how  chosen   26 

Teachers      and      officers      of   a   seminary,    to    whom 

amenable      105 

Term  of  office  of  elders  and  deacons 46 

Term   of  office,  officers  of  a  judicatory 54 

Term  of  office    of    stated    clerk    54 

Term  of  office  of   teacher   of   theology    29 

Territory    of    a    Classis 79 

Testify,     refusal     to      145 

Testimony  in  cases  of  appeal   178 

Testimony  of  witnesses  who  cannot  appear  at  trial.  .    146 

Thanksgiving   day    191 

Theological  seminary      105 

102 


Time  Young 

AIIT. 

Time  for  accusation    164 

Time   for  action   on   appeals    1^^ 

Time  of  meeting  of  Classis    °^ 

Time  of   meeting  of   Consistory     66 

Time   of    mcetitig    of    General    Synod    112 

Time    of    meeting    of    Judicial    Committee 184 

Time  of  meeting  of  Spiritual    Council     75 

Time  of  meeting  of   Synod     98 

Time   of  notice   of   appeal    174 

Title    of    General    Synod    HO 

Transfer   of  membership    5 

Trial  in  absence  of  the  accused 144 

Trials  to  be  conducted  in  open  or  secret  session 147 

Trial  of  a  minister   131 

Trustees  of  a  congregation     9,  12 

Trustees  of  a  seminary    K^fJ 

Two  or  more  congregations  for  one  charge   13 

U 
Unbaptized     adults     3 

V 

Vacancy  of  a  congregation    (charge)    70 

Vacancy,   declaration   of,  by   Classis    133 

Visitors,   Board  of   105 

Visitors  at  meetings    61 

Vote   on    appeals    180 

Vote  in   judicial   proceedings    - 156 

Vote,    right   of,   in  cases   of   appeal    181 

Vote,  right  of,   in  cases  of  complaint     165 

Vote,   right  of,    references     158 

Vote,   right  of,  of  witnesses   153 

Vote  on   suspension,   excommunication   and    deposition   156 

W 
Who  may   call  a   special   meeting   of   Classis?....      93 

Who   shall   ordain?    37,  60 

Wilful    neglect   of    Classis    91 

Withdrawal    of    a    congregation    from    the    Church....     14 

Witnesses,   citation    of    145 

Witnesses,    members    of    judicatories    as 153 

Witnesses  to  be  sworn   151 

Witnesses,  who   are  competent?    =   152 

Word  of  God,  the   188 

Word    of   God,    the,    the   Bible 7 

Worship    190-192 

Worship,  essential    parts    190 

Worship,   order    of    190 

Y 
Young  people's  societies  116 

103 


FORMS 


FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE 


Relormcd  Church 


United  States. 


Adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  York, 
May,  1908. 


The  Publication  Board  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S. 


IF"  o  k,:m:  s 

FOR  THE  USE  OF  TUB 

Reformed  ChiurcH  in   thie 
United  States. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    A    CONGREGATION. 

SECTION    I. 

Name  and  Object. 

Article  i.  The  name  of  this  congregation 
shall   be 

Article  2.  The  object  of  this  congregation 
shall  be  to  provide  its  members  with  the  stated 
preaching  of  the  Word,  the  administration  of  the 
sacraments,  the  facilities  for  public  worship,  and 
the  exercise  of  Christian  discipHne ;  and  to  adopt 
and  prosecute  from  time  to  time  such  measures 
as  are  in  harmony  with  the  spirit,  teaching  and 
customs  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 
States,  and  as  shall  tend  to  promote  the  general 
interests  cf  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

Article  3.     This  congregation  shall  be  an  or- 
ganic   member    of   the   Reformed    Church    in   the 
United  States,  and  shall  be  governed  by  the  con- 
stitution, laws,  and  rules  of  said  Church. 
3 


SECTION    II. 

OfUcers  and  their  Duties. 

Article  4.  The  officers  of  this  congregation 
shall  be  a  pastor  (or  pastors),  —  elders,  —  dea- 
cons, —  trustees,  a  secretary,  and  a  treasurer, 
whose  general  standard  of  duty  shall  be  the 
Word  of  God  and  the  Constitution  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States. 

Article  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastor 
to  conduct  the  public  worship  of  the  sanctuary, 
to  preach  the  gospel,  to  exercise  pastoral  over- 
sight of  the  congregation,  to  dispense  the  holy 
sacraments,  and  in  conjunction  with  the  elders 
to  administer  Christian  discipline. 

Article  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  elders 
to  watch  faithfully  over  the  spiritual  interests  of 
the  congregation,  to  maintain  order  in  the  House 
of  God,  to  aid  in  visiting  the  sick,  and  to  con- 
tribute according  to  their  ability  to  the  edification 
and  consolation  of  all  the  members.  They  shall 
also  provide  the  elements  for  the  Lord's  Supper 
when  requested  by  the  pastor. 

Article  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  dea- 
cons to  co-operate  with  the  other  officers  of  the 
congregation  to  promote  its  general  welfare,  to 
gather  the  offerings  for  the  relief  of  the  poor 
and  the  necessities  of  the  congregation,  to  dis- 
tribute the  alms,  and  to  provide  for  the  pastor's 
salary  under  the  directions  of  the  Consistory. 

Article  8.  The  pastor,  elders,  and  deacons 
of  the  congregation  shall  constitute  the  Consis- 
tory, which  shall  have  oversight  and  government 
of  the  congregation  and  all  the  organizations. 
The  pastor  shall  be  the  president  of  the  Con- 
sistory, but  when  a  charge  is  without  a  pastor, 
or  the  pastor  is  unable  to  attend,  one  of  the 
4 


eldefs   shall  be  chosen  to   preside.     A   majority 
of  the  members   shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  9.  The  Consistory  shall  have  charge 
of  the  general  affairs  of  the  congregation,  shall 
call  congregational  meetings,  order  collections 
for  the  apportionments  of  Classis  and  for  other 
benevolent  purposes,  distribute  alms  through  the 
deacons,  provide  for  the  audit  of  the  treasurer's 
account,  and  make  due  provision  for  the  support 
of  the  pastor.  It  shall  keep  a  full  and  accurate 
record  of  its  own  proceedings,  be  the  custodian 
of  all  congregational  records,  and  submit  any  or 
all  records  to  Classis  when  occasion  requires  it 
and  the  Classis  requests  it. 

Article  10.  The  pastor  or  the  secretary  of 
the  Consistory  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of 
all  baptisms,  confirmations,  communicants,  recep- 
tions by  certificate,  renewals  of  profession,  dis- 
missions, erasures  of  names,  suspensions,  ex- 
communications, marriages,  and  deaths.  The 
record  shall  be  the  property  of  the  congregation. 

Article  ii.  In  calling  a  minister  and  in  all 
matters  of  general  interest,  including  the  elec- 
tion of  delegates  to  Classis  or  Synod,  the  Con- 
sistory shall  be  guided  by  the  requirements  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States. 

Article  12.*  The  members  of  the  Consistory 
shall  constitute  the  Board  of  Trustees,  who  shall 
have  the  care  and  control  of  the  property  of  the 
congregation  as  a  sacred  trust,  whether  real  or 
personal,  in  accordance  with  the  provision  of  the 
Articles  of  Incorporation  and  of  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 
States    (Art.    12). 


*This    article    docs    not    apply    when    the    charter    pro- 
vides  for  a   separate    Board   of  Trustees. 

5 


Article  13.  The  secretary  of  the  Consistory 
shall  also  serve  as  the  secretary  of  the  Spiritual 
Council,  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  of  the 
congregation,  and  shall  perform  faithfully  the 
duties  generally  appertaining  to  such  office. 

Article  14.  The  treasurer,  elected  by  the 
Consistory,  shall  be  the  treasurer  of  the  con- 
gregation, and  shall  keep  an  accurate  and  faithful 
account  of  all  moneys  received  and  paid  out ;  and 
he  shall  not  disburse  any  funds  unless  properly 
authorized.  He  shall  submit  annually  a  detailed 
report  of  the  finances  to  the  Consistory  and  to 
the  congregation. 

Article  15.  The  Consistory  shall  hold  stated 
monthly  (or  quarterly)  meetings  on  the  ....  day 
of and  may  hold  special  meet- 
ings at  such  other  times  as  may  be  necessary ; 
and  also  an  annual  meeting  on  the  ....  day  of 
of  each  year  for  the  transac- 
tion of  business  and  final  settlement  with  the 
treasurer  and  other  officers.  All  special  meetings 
shall  be  called  by  the  president;  in  the  event 
of  his  absence,  or  inability  or  unwillingness  to 
act,  by  the  secretary  when  requested  in  writing 
to  do  so  by  a  majority  of  the  members. 

Article  16.  The  pastor-  and  elders  shall  con- 
stitute the  Spiritual  Council,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  watch  over  the  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion, to  guard  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  to 
n-iaintain  strict  and  wholesome  discipline ;  to  ad- 
mit members  to  full  communion  of  the  Church, 
and  to  exclude  from  it  those  who  may  err  from 
the  faith  or  offend  in  morals.  It  shall  examine 
the  catechumens  applying  for  confirmation,  and, 
before  the  observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  in- 
quire whether  any  member  has  departed  from  the 
doctrine  of  Christ  in  faith  and  practice,  that 
those  who  are  guilty  may  be  disciplined  as  the 
6 


case  may  require.  It  shall  furnish  upon  proper 
request  members  of  the  congregation,  in  good  and 
regular  standing,  with  certificates  of  dismission  to 
another  congregation  in  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States  or  to  any  orthodox  Protestant 
Church  that  receives  members  by  certificate  from 
the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States.  The 
pastor  shall  be  the  president,  but  if  the  pastor  is 
absent  one  of  the  elders  shall  be  chosen  to  pre- 
side. A  majority  of  the  members  shall  constitute 
a  quorum.  It  shall  keep  a  full  and  accurate  rec- 
ord of  its  proceedings  which  shall  be  submitted 
to  the  Classis  when  occasion  requires  it  and  the 
Classis  requests  it. 

SECTION    III. 

Elections  and  Organization. 

Article  17.  Every  communicant  member  of 
the  congregation,  in  good  and  regular  standing, 
shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  all  elections  for  pas- 
tor and  officers,  and  on  any  question  submitted 
to  the  congregation  for  action. 

Article  18.  An  election  for  pastor  shall  be 
held  according  to  the  prescribed  regulations  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States   (Art.  70). 

Article  19.  When  the  pastor  shall  resign  his 
charge  or  when  three-fourths  of  the  members  of 
the  Consistory  shalf  make  a  written  request  to  the 
pastor  for  his  resignation,  the  prescribed  regu- 
lations of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States  shall  be  observed 
(Art.  19). 

Article  20.  An  election  for  elders  and  dea- 
cons   shall    be    held    at    the    annual    meeting    on 

,  and  those  chosen  shall  serve 

years  and  until  their  successors  are  elected 

and  installed.  All  elections  for  officers  shall  be 
7 


by  ballot  and  shall  be  determined  b}'  a  majority 
of  the  votes  cast. 

Article  21.  Nominations  for  the  offices  of 
elder  and  deacon  shall  be  made  by  the  Consis- 
tory, which  shall  present  the  name  or  the  names 
of  one  or  of  two  persons  for  each  officer  to  be 
elected.  Pubhc  notice  of  the  nominations  shall  be 
given  from  the  pulpit  at  least  one  week  before  the 
election.  At  the  meeting  for  the  election  one 
additional  person  for  each  officer  to  be  elected 
may  be  nominated  by  the  congregation.  A  per- 
son shall  not  be  voted  for  unless  regularly  nomi- 
nated. All  nominees  must  be  in  full  communion 
with  the  Church  and  earnestly  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  Christ,  If  possible  each  congregation 
shall  have  at  least  two  elders  and  two  deacons. 

Article  22.  Whenever  a  vacancy  occurs  by 
death,  or  resignation,  or  in  any  other  way,  the 
Consistory  may  fill  the  vacancy  for  the  current 
year. 

Article  23.  An  annual  meeting  of  the  con- 
gregation shall  be  held  on   day  for 

the  transaction  of  regular  business  and  for  the 
election  of  officers.  The  Consistory  may  call  a 
special  meeting  of  the  congregation,  and  at  the 
written  request  of  one-tenth  of  the  communi- 
cant members  shall  issue  a  call  for  such  meeting 
within  two  weeks  after  the  fequest  has  been  re- 
ceived. One  week's  previous  public  notice  shall 
be  given  of  the  time,  place  and  purpose  of  a 
special  congregational  meeting.  The  secretary 
shall  keep  full  and  accurate  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  all  meetings. 

Article  24.  The  Consistory  shall  elect  an- 
nually two  of  the  elders  as  delegates,  a  prima- 
rius  and  a  secundus,  to  represent  the  charge 
in  Classis.     They  shall  also  be  the  delegates  to 

8 


Synod  whenever  Synod  meets  in  general  conven- 
tion. At  least  ten  days  before  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  judicatory  to  which  these  delegates 
have  been  elected  their  credentials  shall  be  sent 
to  its  Stated  Clerk  by  the  president  or  the  secre- 
tary of  the  Consistory. 

SECTION   IV. 

Members  and  their  Duties. 

Article  25.  All  persons  shall  be  members  of 
this  congregation  and  shall  be  entitled  to  all 
its  rights  and  privileges,  who  have  been  duly 
received  into  its  communion  by  confirmation,  by 
certificate,  or  by  renewal  of  profession,  and  have 
not  been  excluded  by  the  process  of  Christian 
discipline. 

Article  26.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every 
member  of  this  congregation  to  live  a  sober, 
righteous  and  godly  life,  and  to  labor  faithfully 
in  bringing  others  unto  Christ ;  to  obey  the  laws 
and  rules  prescribed  in  the  Word  of  God  and 
abide  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Church;  to  con- 
tribute liberally  and  in  proportion  to  his  means 
to  the  support  of  the  gospel  and  for  the  exten- 
sion of  the  kingdom  of  Christ ;  to  attend  faith- 
fully the  public  services  of  the  Cburch,  engage 
diligently  in  private  devotions,  and  partake  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  at  least  once  a  year.  Parents 
shall  present  their  children  at  the  proper  time 
for  baptism  and  give  special  attention  to  the 
Christian  training  of  the  members  of  their  house- 
hold. 

Article  27.  If  a  member  shall  neglect  to  par- 
take of  the  Holy  Communion  or  refuse  to  con- 
tribute to  the  support  of  the  Church  or  continu- 
ously absent  himself  from  the  public  worship  for 
a  period  of  one  year,  such  conduct  shall  be  re- 
garded as  an  offense  against  the  Church,  and  he 
9 


shall  be  admonished  by  the  pastor  or  the  elders. 
If  after  admonition  he  continues  in  such  neg- 
lect of  duty  for  another  year,  the  Spiritual  Coun- 
cil shall  notify  him  that  he  is  no  longer  in  good 
and  regular  standing.  If  before  the  expiration  of 
another  year  he  shall  express  a  desire  to  be  rein- 
stated and  shall  promise  to  attend  to  his  duties, 
the  Spiritual  Council  shall  reinstate  him.  If  at 
the  end  of  the  third  year  he  shall  not  express  a 
desire  for  reinstatement,  or  if  any  member  shall 
unite  with  another  congregation  or  denomina- 
tion without  a  certificate  of  dismission,  the  Spirit- 
ual Council  in  either  case  shall  erase  his  name 
from  the  church  register. 

Article  28.  Members,  who,  on  account  of 
change  of  residence  or  for  other  proper  reasons, 
shall  desire  to  change  their  membership  from  one 
congregation  to  another  congregation  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States,  shall  ob- 
tain a  certificate  of  dismission  and  as  soon  as 
possible  shall  unite  with  the  other  congregation. 
The  Spiritual  Council  dismissing  them  shall  com- 
municate immediately  the  fact  to  the  Spiritual 
Council  of  the  congregation  to  which  they  have 
been  dismissed ;  and,  when  they  are  received, 
the  latter  shall  notify  promptly  the  former  of 
their  reception.  Members  dismissed  shall  be 
amenable  to  the  congregation  dismissing  them 
until  they  shall  have  been  received  by  another 
congregation.  A  certificate  of  dismission  shall 
be  valid  for  only  one  year  from  its  date. 

SECTION  V. 

By-Laws. 

Article  29.  '  The  congregation  may  from  time 
to  time  enact  such  by-laws  for  its  government 
as  may  be  deemed  necessary ;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  thev  do  not  conflict  with  this  constitu- 

10 


tion  or  the  Constitiuion  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  the  United  States. 

SECTION    VI. 

Amendments. 

Article  30.  This  constitution  may  be  altered 
or  amended  by  the  congregation  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present  either  at  an 
annual  meeting  or  at  a  special  meeting  called  for 
that  purpose ;  provided  that  at  least  one  week's 
notice  of  the  proposed  change  shall  have  been 
given. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  A  JOINT  CONSIS- 
TORY OF  A  CHARGE. 

SECTION    I. 

Name  and  Object. 

Article  i.     This  Association  shall  be  named 

"The  Joint  Consistory  of   

Charge  in   

".     It  shall  be  composed   of 

the  members  of  the  consistories  of  the  congre- 
gations included  in  the  charge,  and  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  the  Constitution  and  Rules  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States. 

Article  2.  The  object  of  this  Association 
shall  be  to  provide  the  charge  with  the  stated 
preaching  of  the  gospel  and  with  the  other  means 
of  grace  ;^  and  to  attend  to  whatever  relates  to  the 
general  interest  and  prosperity  of  the  charge, 
such  as  the  calling  of  a  pastor,  the  provision  for 
his  salary,  and  the  erection  and  maintenance  of 
a  parsonage. 

11 


SECTION   II. 
Q-fHcers  and  their  Duties. 

Article  3.  The  pastor  shall  be  the  president 
of  the  Joint  Consistory,  but  if  he  is  absent  or 
unable  to  preside  one  of  the  elders  shall  be  chosen 
to  preside.  The  other  officers,  such  as  a  secre- 
tary and  a  treasurer,  shall  be  elected  at  the 
annual  meeting,  and  they  shall  discharge  the 
duties  usually  devolving  upon  such  officers  and 
shall  serve  until  their  successors  are  elected. 

SECTION   III. 

Meetings. 

Article  4.  The  Joint  Consistory  shall  meet 
annually  on  the    day  of   

of  each  year  for  the  transaction  of  business  and 
may  hold  special  meetings  at  such  other  times 
as  may  be  necessary.  All  special  meetings  shall 
be  called  by  the  president,  but  if  he  is  absent,  or 
unable  or  unwilling  to  act,  by  the  secretary 
when  requested  in  writing  to  do  so  by  the  ma- 
jority of  the  members.  Previous  notice  of  spe- 
cial meetings  shall  be  given  to  all  the  members. 

Article  5.  An  election  for  pastor  shall  be 
held  according  to  the  prescribed  regulations  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  (Art.  70).  If  a  majority  of  the 
votes  in  the  whole  charge  are  cast  for  the  min- 
ister nominated,  a  call  shall  be  made  out  and 
sent  to  him  by  the  Joint  Consistory. 

Article  6.  The  support  of  the  pastor  shall 
be  distributed  among  the  congregations  as  may 
from  time  to  time  be  agreed  upon  by  the  Joint 
Consistory.  At  its  annual  meeting  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Joint  Consistory  to  see  that  this 
obligation  is  punctually  discharged. 
12 


Article  7.  The  time  of  the  pastor  shall  be 
devoted  to  the  several  congregations  in  such 
ratio  or  proportion  as  shall  from  time  to  time 
be  agreed  upon  by  the  Joint  Consistory  and  the 
pastor. 

SECTION   IV. 

Resignation  of  the  Pastor. 

Article  8.  When  the  pastor  resigns  his 
charge  or  when  three-fourths  of  the  members  of 
the  Joint  Consistory  make  a  written  request  to 
the  pastor  for  his  resignation,  the  prescribed 
regulations  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States  shall  be  observed 
(Art.  19). 

section  v. 

Real  Estate  and  Parsonage. 

Article  9.  The  Joint  Consistory  may  pur- 
chase and  hold  in  trust  grounds  for  parsonage 
and  for  other  church  purposes,  and  may  improve 
and  manage  the  same ;  and  whenever  any  one  of 
the  congregations  shall  become  separated  from 
the  charge  by  action  of  the  Classis,  it  shall  be  en-  . 
titled  to  an  equitable  repayment  of  its  share  in 
the  same. 

section  VI. 

Election  of  Delegates. 

Article  10.  The  Joint  Consistory  shall  elect 
annually  two  of  the  elders  as  delegates,  a  prima- 
rius  and  secundus,  to  represent  the  charge  in 
Classis.  They  shall  also  be  the  delegates  to  Synod 
whenever  Synod  meets  in  general  convention. 
At  least  ten  days  before  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  judicatory  to  which  the  delegates  have  been 
13 


elected  their  credentials  shall  be  sent  to  its 
Stated  Clerk  by  the  president  or  the  secretary  of 
the   Consistory. 

SECTION   VII. 

Amendments. 

Article  ii.  This  constitution  may  be  altered 
or  amended  by  the  Joint  Consistory  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  at  an  annual 
meeting  or  at  a  special  meeting  called  for  the 
purpose,  provided  that  at  least  one  week's  notice 
of  the  proposed  change  shall  have  been  given. 


CERTIFICATE  OF  MARRIAGE. 

It  is  hereby  certified  that 

and  were  by  me 

united  in  the  bonds  of  holy  matrimony,  accord- 
ing to  the  ordinance  of   God  and  in  conformity 

to  law  and  the  custom  of  the  Church,  this 

day  of   A.  D.  19... 


Witness:  Minister  of  the  Gospel 


CERTIFICATE  OF  BAPTISM. 

This  is  to  certify  that  

of and  his  wife 

,  born  at    

on  the- day  of 

U 


A.  D.  19,  . .  .,  was  baptized  on  the  day  of 

A.  D.  19.... 

Pastor. 

Church. 


CERTIFICATE  OF  CONFIRMATION. 

This  is  to  certify  that  , 

after  having  been  duly  instructed  in  the  doctrines 
and  duties  of  the  Christian  ReHgion,  according 
to  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism, and  having  professed  faith  in  Jesus  Christ, 
was    confirmed    as    a    member    of    the    Reformed 

Church  in  the  United   States,  in 

Church   at    

on   the    day   of    

A.  D.  190 

Pastor. 

Whosoever  therefore  shall  confess  me  before 
men,  him  will  I  confess  before  my  Father  which 
is  in  heaven. 


CERTIFICATE   OF  DISMISSION  OF 
CHURCH   MEMBERS.* 

This    is    to    certify    that 

(together  with  ....  baptized  children 

)   is  a  member,  in  good  and  regular 

standing,    of     Reformed     Church    at 

within  the  bounds  of   

Classis,    and     Synod.      At 

....own  request  ....is  now  dismissed  for  the 
purpose  of  connecting  . , .  .self  with  Re- 
formed Church  at   to  whose 


^See  Arts.   5  and  Vj   of  the    Constitution, 

15 


Christian   fellowship   and   confidence    is 

hereby    affectionately    recommended ;    and    when 

shall  be  received  by  it  peculiar 

relation  to  this  congregation  shall  cease.  Official 
notice  of  this  reception  shall  be  given  to  this 
Spiritual  Council. 

By   order   of  the   Spiritual    Council. 

Date    190.  . .  . 

Signed     

(Signed  by  the  pastor  or  the  secretary  of  the  Spiritual 
Council.) 


CERTIFICATE  OF  RECEPTION  OF  DIS- 
MISSED CHURCH  MEMBERS. 

190. ... 

This  is  to  certify  that   .'. . . 

has  been  received  as  a  member  of  the 

on   Certificate   of   Dis- 
mission from  the   

congregation    ,    dated 

190 

Date   190 

Signed  

(Signed  by  the  pastor  or  the  secretary  of  the  Spiritual 
Council.) 


CHURCH  REGISTER. 

"The  pastor  or  the  secretary  of  the  Consistory 
shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  all  baptisms, 
confirmations,  communicants,  receptions  by  cer- 
tificate, renewals  of  profession,  dismissions, 
erasures  of  names,  suspensions,  excommunica- 
tions, marriages,  and  deaths.  The  record  shall 
be  the  property  of  the  Congregation"  (Constitu- 
tion, Art.   18). 

IG 


Unconllnnod. 


Oomniunicants.l 


Oonfirniation, 
When? 


Certificate, 
When  and 
Where  from- 


Renewal, 
When? 


Died,,  Wheal 


Dismissed, 
When  and 
Where  to? 


Erased,  When? 


Suspended, 
When? 


E  xcom  m  unica  t  - 
ed,  When?    - 


Month. 


Month. 


Month. 


Month. 


17 


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18 


RECOMMENDATION   OF  A^STUDENT  TO 
CLASSIS. 

Wc,  the  undersigned,  hereby  certif}'  that 

is    a    communicant     member     of    the     Reformed 

Church  at    in 

good  and  regular  standing,  and  sustains  an  ap- 
proved moral  character ;  that  in  our  opinion  he 
possesses  such  quaHfications,  with  respect  to 
piety,  honesty  and  capacity,,  as  to  render  him 
worthy  to  prepare  for  the  Christian  Ministry, 
to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  edification  of  the 
Church ;  and  that  w-e  therefore  recommend  him 
to  the  favor  and  conluknce  of  the  Classis 
of 

Dale Pastor. 

Elders. 

Deacons. 

Consistory. 


TRANSFER   OF  A   STUDENT   FROM   OJ^E 
CLASSIS    TO    ANOTHER. 

It  is  hereby  certified  that  the  bearer, 

is    a    student    of    

at 

preparing   himself    for    the 

gospel   ministry  r  f  the  Reformed  Church   in   the 

United  Stales.     He  is  under  the  care  of 

Classis     

Synod,  and  is  in  good  and  regular  standing.     As 
such  he  is  now  at  his  own  request  transferred  to 

the    Classis    of , Synod, 

to  continue   his    studies   under   its   care;    and  to 
19 


whose  Christian  fellowship  and  confidence  he  is 
hereby  alTcctioi'Mtely  recommended ;  and  when 
he  shall  be  received  by  it,  his  relation  to  this 
Classis  shall  cease,  of  which  reception  official 
notice  shall  be  given  to  this  Classis. 

By  order  of  Classis. 

,    President. 

Stated  Clerk. 

Date A.   D.   19. .. . 


RECOMMENDATION   OF  A   STUDENT   BY 

A  CLASSIS  TO  A  THEOLOGICAL 

SEMINARY. 

This  is  to  certify  that  at  a  meetin<7  of 

Classis     

Synod,   held  at    

on   the day   of    

A.  D.  19....,  ,  a  communicant  mem- 
ber of   the    Reformed   congregation   at 

,    in    good    and    regular    standing, 

and  desiring  to  prepare  for  the  gospel  ministry 
in  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States, 
was  duly  examined  as  to  his  motives,  piety  and 
talents.  The  examination  proved  satisfactory, 
and  Classis  took  him  under  its  care  and  direc- 
tion. He  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  Christian 
regard  and  confidence  of  the  Faculty  and  the 
Board  of  Visitors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of 

the  Reformed  Church  at , 

[or  the  Board  of  Education  as  worthy  of  bene- 
ficiary aid].     Given  this   day  of 

A.  D.   19.... 

By  order  of  Classis. 

,  Stated  Clerk, 

20 


CERTIFICATE    OE    LICENSURE. 

In    the    name    of    the    Lord    Jesus    Christ,    the 
Great  Head  of  the   Church,  greeting : 

Be  it  known,  that   

after  having  furnished  acceptable  testimonials  of 
his  Christian  character  and  having  sustained  a 
satisfactory  examination  in  the  different  literary 
and  theological  studies  prescribed  for  Students 
for  the  Alinistry  by  the  Constitution  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  and 
having  complied  with  the  requirements  of  the 
said  Church,  was  regularly  licensed  to  preach 
the      gospel      under      the      provisions        of      the 

aforesaid  Constitution,  by  order  of  the 

at  a  meeting  held  at 

on    the    

day  of  A.  D.  19.  . .  .     He  is 

hereby  recommended  to  the  favor  and  attention 

of  all  those  to  whom  these  presents  may  come. 

In      testimony      whereof,      we 

have     hereunto     subscribed     our 

names     and     affixed     the     Seal 

[SEAL]        of    

this   day  of 

in    the    year    of    our    Lord    one 
thousand      nine      hundred      and 


President, 

.Stated   Clerk. 


TESTIMONIAL   OF   ORDINATION. 

In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church,  greeting: 

Be  it  known,  that    

after  having  sustained  a  satisfactory  examination 
21 


in  the  different  literary  and  theological  studies 
prescribed  for  Students  for  the  Ministry  by 
the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States,  and  having  comphed  with  the 
requirements   of    said    Church,    was,    bv     order 

of ' 

ordained  and  solemnly  set  apart  to  the  work  of 
the  Christian  Ministry,  according  to  the  Word 
of  God  and  the  rites  and  customs  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States,  and  re- 
ceived  into   full   ministerial   communion   at 

on   the    

day  of   A.  D.   19 

He  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  Christian 
fellowship  and  attention  of  all  those  to  whom 
these  presents  shall  come,  as  qualified  to  preach 
the  gospel  and  to  administer  the  sacraments  of 
the  Church. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we 
have  hereunto  subscribed  our 
names     and     affixed     the      Seal 

[SEAL]         of    

on  the    day  of 

in      the      year      of      our 

Lord    one    thousand    nine    hun- 
dred   and     

President, 

Stated   Clerk. 


CALL  OF  A  MINISTER. 

To  the  Rev 

At  an  election  frr  pastor  held  in  the 

congregation     (charge)    on    the    day 

of A.  D.  19. . ,  .  you  were  dulv 

elected   to    that    office;    and    in    accordance    with 
22 


the  instructions  given  us,  we,  the  elders  and 
deacons  of  the  aforesaid  congregation  (charge), 
do  hereby  unite  in  solemnly  calling  you  to  the 
pastoral  office  as  above  mentioned,  and  affec- 
tionately urge  upon  you  the  acceptance  of  our 
call.  The  duties  which  will  be  required  of  you 
are  those  which  usually  pertain  to  the  pastoral 
office  and  are  specifically  set  forth  in  the  Word 
of  God  and  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States. 

To  encourage  you  in  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  your  important  and  responsible  office, 
we  promise  you,  in  the  name  of  the  congregation 
(charge),  all  proper  attention,  love  and  obedi- 
ence in  the  Lord ;  and  in  consideration  of  your 
service,  and  that  you  may  be  relieved  of  tem- 
poral cares  as  far  as  possible,  we  do  obHgate 
ourselves    in   their   behalf    to   pay   you    for   your 

support  an  annual  sum  of dollars 

in    payments,    so    long 

as  you  shall  continue  our  pastor,  together  with 
the  use  of  [the  parsonage  belonging  to  the  con- 
gregation (charge),]  a  house  which  shall  be 
provided   for  your  accommodation. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  sub- 
scribed   our    names,    this     day    of, 

in   the   year   of   our   Lord   one 

thousand   nine   hundred   and . .  .^ 

Elders. 


Deacons. 


DISMISSION   OF  A   MINISTER.* 

This  is  to  certify  that  the  Rev 

is  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United    States,    in    connection    with    the    Classis 

of   of  the   

Synod,  in  good  and  regular  standing.  As  such 
he  is  now,  at  his  own  request,  dismissed  to  unite 

with   the   Classis   of and 

Synod,  to  whose 

Christian  fellowship  and  confidence  he  is  cor- 
dially recommended ;  and  when  received  by  it 
his  peculiar  relation  to  this  Classis  shall  cease, 
of  which  reception  official  notice  must  be  given 
to  this  Classis. 

By  order  of  Classis. 

Date A.   D.    19 

President. 

,.. ,  Stated  Clerk. 


RFXEPTION  OF  A  DTSMISSFD  MINISTER. 

Tliis  is  to  certify  lliat  tlic  Rev 

has    been    received    into    full    connection   with    the 

Classis  of   of  the 

Synod,    on    a    Certificate 

of  Dismission  from  the  Classis  of 

of  the Svnod,  dated 

A.  D.    19.... 

Date    A.    D.    19.... 

Signed    Stated   Clerk. 

*     *     * 


*  This    certificate    of    dismission    may    be    adapted    for 
ist*    as   a    form 'of   dismission    of   a   licentiate. 

2t 


CALL  OF  A  TEACHER  OF  THEOLOGY. 

To  the  Rev 

At  a   meeting  of   the Synod 

(or    Synods)    of    the    Reformed    Church    in    the 

United    States    held    at on 

the     day    of     A.    D. 

19....,  you  were  duly  elected  to  the  Professor- 
ship of   in  the 

Theological    Seminary    at • 

In  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  said 
Synod  (or  Synods),  we  hereby  present  you  with 
a  call  to  the  Professorship  as  aforesaid,  and  af- 
fectionately urge  upon  you  the  acceptance  there- 
of. You  will  be  expected  to  give  instruction  to 
the  students  committed  to  your  charge  in  such 
branches  as  pertain  to  your  department,  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the 
said  Seminary,  with  such  modifications  as  the 
Synod  (or  Synods)  may  hereafter  direct.  And 
in  consideration  of  your  services  to  be  rendered 
and  to  free  3^ou  from  temporal  anxieties  and 
cares,  we  promise  you  for  your  support,  in  the 
name  of  the  Synod  (or  Synods),  as  long  as 
you  continue  teacher  in  the  Seminary  as  afore- 
said,  the   sum   of    dollars 

annually  in    payments    [to- 
gether with  the  use  of  a  free  dwelling]. 
By  order  of  the  Synod. 

In    witness    whereof   we   have 

hereunto    subscribed    our    names 
[SEAL]         and    affixed    the    seal    of    Synod, 

this   day  of   

in    the    year    of    our    Lord,    one 

thousand      nine      hundred      and 


President^ 

. .  .Stated  Clerk. 
25 


CREDENTIALS   OF   ELDERS   TO   CLASSIS 
OR   SYNOD. 

This    IS   to    certify,    that    at    a    meeting   of    the 

Consistory    [or  Joint   Consistory]    of  the 

charge,   held  at    on 

the    day   of    19...., 

Elder   was  duly  elected 

delegate   primarius   and   Elder    

his  secundus,  to  represent  said  charge 

at  the  annual  and  special  meetings  of 

Classis    [and  Synod],  during  the  current    [classi- 
cal or  synodical]  year  beginning 

19. . . . 

Stated  Clerk. 

(Date)    A.  D.  19.... 

Note.— The  proper  officer  to  sign  the  above  certificate 
or  credentials  is  the  secretary  of  the  Consistory,  when 
there  is  but  otie  congregation,  or  the  secretary  of  the 
Joint  Consistory,  when  there  are  tzvo  or  more  congre- 
gations in  a  charge;  but,  if  for  some  good  reason  the 
secretary  can   not   do   so,   then    the   pastor  shall    sign   it. 

Moreover,  when  the  Synod  meets  in  general  conven- 
tion, each  pastoral  charge  is  entitled  to  be  represented 
by  a  delegated  elder,  who  must  receive  his  credentials 
from  the  Consistory  or  the  Joint  Consistory  as  the  case 
may  be;  but  in  case  the  Synod  meets  as  a  delegated 
body,  then  the  delegates,  both  ministers  and  elders,  are 
elected  by  the  respective  classes  according  to  the  pre- 
scribed constitutional  ratio,  and  their  credentials  must 
be   furnished   by  the   stated  clerks   of  the  classes. 


CREDENTIALS  OF  DELEGATES  FROM 
CLASSIS   TO    SYNOD. 

This   is  to  certify  that Classis 

of  the  Synod  of    at 

its  annual   [or  special]  meeting  held  at 

on  the    day  of 

2G 


A.    D.    19....,    duly   elected   the   fol- 
lowing members    of   the    Classis   as    delegates   to 

the   Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 

the  United  States,  to  convene  in 

Church  at County,  and 

State    of    on    the    

day  of    A.   D.   19 ,  at 

o'clock    . . .  .M.,  namely : 

MINISTERS.  ELDERS. 

PRIMARII. 


SECUNDI. 


Given     under     my     hand     and 

seal    of    Classis 

[SEAL]         day    of    

A.  D.   19 

Stated    Clerk    of    

Classis. 


CREDENTIALS  OF  DELEGATES  FROM 
CLASSIS  TO  GENERAL  SYNOD. 


This    is    to    certify,    that 

Classis  of  the   Synod  of 

at  its  annual    (special)    meeting 

at on  the   day  of 

A.  D.  19....,  duly  elected  the  fol- 

27 


lowing  members    of   the    Classis   as   delegates   to 
the   General   Synod   of   the   Reformed  Church  in 

the  United   States,  to  convene   in 

Church  at   County,  and  State  of 

on  the   day  of 

A.  D.  19....,  at   o'clock   ....M.,  viz.: 

MINISTERS.  ELDERS. 

PRIMARII. 


SECUNDI. 


ROLL  OF  MINISTERS  OF  CLASSIS. 

It  is   further   certified  that   on  this 

day  of  A.  D.  ig,  . .  .,  the  following 

ordained  ministers  constitute  the  clerical  roll  of 
.• Classis: 

[Here    write    the   names    of   the    ministers.] 

Given    under   my    hand    and    the 

SEAL  seal    of    Classis, 

OF  THE  this    day    of 

CLASSIS A.   D.    10.... 

Stated    Clerk. 

of    Classis. 

N.  B. — Write  names  of  persons  and  places  plainly  and 
give  the  first  or  Christian  name  of  delegates  in  full. 
When  properly  filled  out,  return  the  roll  at  once  to  the 
stated  clerk  of  the  General   Synod. 

28 


CREDENTIALS  OF  DELEGATES  FROM 
GENERAL  SYNOD  TO  CORRE- 
SPONDING BODIES. 

This  is  to  certify  that  by  the  official  authority 
of  the  General   Synod  of  the   Reformed   Church 

in  the   United   States,  held  at 

in    A.    D.    19 

was  appointed  delegate  primarius,  and 

his  sccundiis,  to  represent  said  Church 

in   the    to   convene 


in 


,on    the 


day  of  A.  D.  19. 

Attest : 


Stated  Clerk. 
(Date)    A.  D.  19.... 


CREDENTIALS   OF  DELEGATES   FROM 

SYNODS    TO    CORRESPONDING 

BODIES. 

This  is  to  certify,  that  at  the  annual  meeting 

of    the    Synod    of    of 

the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  held 

at   in  the  month  of 

A.   D.    19 ,   the   Rev 

was    duly    elected    delegate    primarius,    and    the 

Rev as   his   sccundiis,  to 

represent  said  Synod  in  the  sessions  of  the  Synod 

of    of  the    

Church,  which  is  to  convene  in  the 

Church   at    on   the 

day  of   A.  D.  19 at 

o'clock    M. 

29 


Given    at    this    

day  of  A.  D,  19.  . .  . 

Attest : 

Stated  Clerk 

of    


CREDENTIALS    OF    DELEGATES    TO    AL- 
LIANCE OF  REFORMED   CHURCHES. 

In    the    name    of    the    Lord    Jesus    Christ    the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church,  greeting : 

This   is  to  certify,  that  the   General   Synod  of 
the   Reformed    Church    in  the    United    States,   at 

its  triennial  meeting  held  , at 

in    19 ,    

was  duly  elected  delegate  primariiis,  and 

his  scciindiis,  to   represent  said 

Church    in   the,.^ General    Council 

of  the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  hold- 
ing   the     Presbyterian     System,     to     convene     in 

on  the  day  of 

A.  D.  19.... 

, Stated  Clerk. 

[SEAL] 


FORMS    OF    ACCUSATION    AGAINST    AN 
OFFENDER.* 

Form  of  Accusation  on  one  or  more  charges, 
giving  forms   of  charges   for  various   sins. 

•'When  an  individual  brings  an  accusation,  he  shall  be 
named  as  the  accuser;  and  when  an  accusation  is 
brought  by  a  judicatory  of  the  Church,  "The  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States"  shall  be  named  as  the 
accuser.  The  person  or  persons  against  whom  the  accu- 
sation is  brought  shall  be  named  as  the  accused"  (Con- 
stitution, Art.   137). 

"Each  cliarge  shall  be  accompanied  with  the  names  of 
the    witnesses"    (Constitution,    Art.     140). 

30 


THE      REFORMED   ]       ACCUSATION 

CHURCH    IN    THE     l   brought    before    

UNITED  STATES      |    Classis, 

!►    (or    Spiritual    Council 
Against  1   of 

[Here  give  accused's  name    I    ^^     ^"^     ^^^^     "^^y     ^^~ 
in  full.]  J    quire). 

The day  of A.  D.  19.  .. . 

The    Reformed    Church    in   the    United    States, 

accuser,   complains    of    

accused,  in  this  cause,  and  charges  him  the  said 
as  follows: 


Charge  A.     That  he,  the  said 

is  guilty  of  heresy. 

Spec.  I.     In  this  that  he  did  on  the 

^ay  of  A.  D.  19 ,  preach  and 

proclaim  publicly  from  the  pulpit  of 

Reformed    Church    at    County 

of State    of    

heretical  doctrine  in  the  following  words 

{Here    insert    as   nearly    as   possible    the    heretical    expres- 
sions charged.] 

_ or  words   of  the   same   import 

and  meaning,  which  are  contrary  to  the  teach- 
in-js  of  the  Word  of  God  as  interpreted  under 
questions    of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism. 

Spec.  2.  In  this  that  he  did  publish  and  de- 
clare in  an  article  appearing  over  his  own  sig- 
nature   in    the    following, 

[Here    insert   number,   date  and  name   of   paper,    book    or 
periodical    wherein    the    article    appeared.] 

^■*z. :    which    is    contrary 

[Mere    insert    the    heretical    publication    charged,    or    such 
reference   that   will   clearly   identify   the   same.] 

to    the    Word    of    God    as    interpreted    under 
31 


questions    of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism. 

[Go   on    and    state   every    specification    of    heresy    you   can 
prove  against  tlic  accused  and  close  the  charge.] 

All  of  which   show  the  unfitness  of  the  said 

for    the    ministry    of    Christ 

and  the  teaching  of  the  Word. 


Charge  B.    That  the  said    

is  guilty  of  blasphemy. 

Spec.  I.     In  that   he   did  contrary  to  the  laws 
of  God  and  the  moral  sense  of  humanity  on  the 

day   of    A.    D. 

19....,   in  the  house   of 

in  the  city  of    (or  on 

the   public   streets,   viz.:    corner 

streets   of  the  city  of )    in 

the    County    of    in    the 

State  of    and   at   sundry 

times  before  and  thereafter,  before  the  bringing 
of  this  accusation,  blasphemously  and  frivolously 
use  the  name  of  God  and  of  holy  things  and  of 
our  Lord  and  Master  Jesus  Christ,  publicly  and 
in  vain. 

Charge  C.    That  he,  the   said 

is    guilty   of    fraudulent    detention    and   mis- 
appropriation of  trust  funds. 

Spec.  I.     In  this  that  he  did  on  the 

day  of  A.  D.  19. . . .,  as  pastor 

of    charge    (or   as   elder   or   as 

deacon    of    congregation    of 

charge),    of    Classis 

of  the   Reformed   Church  in  the   United   States, 

receive  the   sum  of    dollars,   good   and 

lawful  money,  given  at  a  collection  held  on  the 

, day  of A.  D.  19. . . ., 

32 


in    Reformed   Church    at 

County  of    State  of 

for  the  benevolent  objects  of  the  Church,  to  be 

paid  over  by  him  to  the  treasurer  of 

(Classis,  Board  or  Synod),  which  said  money 
he  failed  to  pay  over  as  aforesaid  as  he  was  in 
duty  bound  to  do,  and  has  misappropriated  and 
used  the  same  for  his  own  private  purposes,  and 
not  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  entrusted 
to  him,  and  has  thereby  defrauded  the  Church 
and  thereby  transgressed  against  good  faith, 
honesty  and  the  law  of  God. 

Charged.    That   he,  the   said 

is    guilty    of   creating    (or   guilty   of   the   at- 
tempt  to   create)    schism   in   the   Church. 

Spec.  I.     In  this   that  he  did  at  a 

meeting  of  Reformed  congregation 

held    in    the     of 

said  congregation  on  the   day  of 

A.   D.    19....,   counsel,   advocate 

and  advise  a  division  of  said  church  and  congre- 
gation, and  did  continue  to  do  so  at  sundry  times 
and  places  before  and  thereafter,  and  before  the 
bringing  of  this  accusation,  and  did  attempt  to 
organize  out  of  the  membership  of  said  congre- 
gation or  a  part  thereof,  a  society  or  congrega- 
tion independent  from  the  general  organization 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States, 
to  the  detriment  and  injury  of  said  church. 

Charge  E.    That   he,   the   said 

is  guilty  of  malicious  and  willful  lying. 

Spec.  I.     In  this,  that  he  did  at  a   meeting  of 

the    of    Reformed 

Church  held  at.. in  the  city  of 

3  33 


County   of    State   of 

on  the    day  of 

A.  D.  19.  . .  .  utter,  say  and  express  the  following, 
viz. :     " "   or    words   to 

[Here  insert  what  he  said.] 

that    effect,    then    and    there    knowing    the    same 
to  be  utterly  false  and  untrue. 

Spec.  2.     And  in  this,  that  he  did  at  a  meeting 

of held   at    on   the 

.day  of  A.  D.  19 

positively  deny  that  he  the  said ever 

did   utter,    say,    or   express   the   words   as    stated 
in  Spec,  i    of  this  charge. 

Spec.  3.     And   that   in  this,   that  he   did,   etc.. 


Charge  F.     That   he,    the   said 

is  guilty  of  perjury. 

Spec.  I.     In  this,  that  he  did  on  the 

day  of  A.  D.  19.  . .  .  in  the  court 

of  of   County 

State    of     as    a    witness    called    to 

testify  in  the  hearing  of  a  cause   in   said   court, 

wherein    was    accuser    and 

was    accused,    upon    his 

solemn    oath     (or    affirmation)     testify    and    say 
" "    or    words    to    that 

[Here  insert  what   he  testified.] 

effect   then   and   there    knowing   the   same   to   be 
utterly  false  and  untrue. 

Spec.  2.     And    in    this,    that    he    did    on    the 

day  of   A.  D.  19. . .  . 

before    the    Spiritual    Council    of 

Reformed   Church  of   in  the  hear- 
ing of  a  cause  wherein  the  Reformed  Church  in 

the  United  States  was  accuser  and , . , . 

34 


was  accused   upon  his   solemn  oath    (or   affirma- 
tion)   testify    and    say,    ".... " 

[Here  insert  what  he  testified.] 

or  words  to  that  effect  then  and  there  knowing 
the  same  to  be  utterly   false  and  untrue. 

Charge  G.     That    he,    the    said , 

is  guilty  of  fornication. 

Spec.  I.     In  this,   that  he   did  contrary   to  the 
law  of  God   and  the  good  morals   of  society  on 

the   day  of  A.  D.  19.... 

in  the  house  of  one at  No 

Street,    County  of State   of 

have  carnal  knowledge  and   criminal   intercourse 

with  one   ,  she,  the  said 

not  being  his  lawful  wife  at  the  time. 

Spec.  2.     In  this  that  he,  the   said 

did   on day   of    

A.  D.   19....   enter  the  house  of   in 

County  of   State  of 

and    then    and    there    did    have 

carnal  knowledge   and   criminal   intercourse   with 

one    the    daughter    of 

which    said    was    not    his    lawful 

wife  at  the  time. 

Charge  H.     That  he,   the   said 

is  guilty  of  adultery. 

Spec-  I.     In   this,   that   he    did   contrary  to   the 
law  of  God  and  the  good  morals  of  society,  on 

the   day  of   A.  D.  19.  . .  . 

in  the  house  of    in.,.. 

County  of   State  of   

have  carnal  knowledge   and  criminal   intercourse 

with    one    ,    she,    the    said 

...being   at    the    time    the   lawful 

wife  of   (or  as  the  case  may 

35 


be),  he,  the  said    at  the  time 

being  the   lawful   husl)aiid   of    

Ins  wife. 

[State  either  one   or   botli    of  these    facts  as  the  case 
may   be.] 

Charge  I.     That  he,   the   said 

is  guilty  of  drunkenness. 

Spec.  I.  In  this,  that  he  uses  alcoholic,  malt 
and  vinous  (or  either)  liquors  habitually  to  ex- 
cess and  at  times  by  the  use  thereof  becomes 
intoxicated. 

Spec.  2.     In  this,  that  he,  the  said 

did  on  the day  of A.   D. 

19....    in   the   town   of in   the 

County  of   State  of  

appear  on  the  public  streets  of  said  town  (or 
as  the  case  may  be)  intoxicated,  unable  to  have 
proper  control  of  his  person,  then  and  there  con- 
ducting himself  in  a  manner  unbecoming  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

Charge  J.     That    he,    the    said 

is  guilty  of  gross  profanation  of  the  Lord's 
Day. 

Spec.  I.  In  this,  that  he  did  contrary  to  the 
law   of   God   and   to  the   injury   of  good   morals 

in  the  neighborhood  he  lives,  on  the    

day   of    A.    D.    19 ,   said   day 

being  a  Sunday  and  at  other  Sundays  before  or 
thereafter,  before  the  bringing  of  this  accusation 
keep    and    maintain    at    his    dwelling    place    (or 

business    place)    at    No Street 

City    of     c State    of 

public    entertainments    with    music    and    dancing 
and    dealing    out    intoxicating    liquors    (or    state 
whatever   acts    of    desecration    are    charged.) 
36 


Charge  K.     That   he,   the   said 

is   guilty  of  contentiousness. 

Spec.  T.  In  this,  that  he  did  wrongfully  and 
maliciously    accuse    the    Pastor    (or    as    the    case 

may  be  the   Elders  and  Deacons)    of 

Church  of   at  sundry  times  before 

the  bringing  of  this  accusation,  of  conduct  un- 
becoming a  Pastor  (or  Elders  or  Deacons)  of 
the  Church,  and  of  being  arbitrary,  domineering, 
haughty,  hypocritical,  dishonest  (or  similar 
things^  as  the  case  may  be)  and  has  with  mali- 
cious, intent  at  sundry  times  during  the  last  year 
passed,  stirred  up  strife,  contention,  dissatisfac- 
tion and  hatred  among  the  members  of 

Church    and    congregation    of to 

the  great  injury  of  peace  and  harmony  in  said 
church  and  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom   in   said  community. 

An  accusation  may  contain  either  one  or  more  charges; 
those  given  in  the  foregoing  pages  are  for  sins  named 
in  Article  124  of  the  constitution.  Any  offense  morally 
wrong  is  indictable  before  a  church  judicatory.  Each 
charge  must  first  state  the  offense  in  plain  unequivocal 
terms;  each  occurrence  of  the  offense  must  be  separately 
specified,  giving  time  and  place,  w^hen  and  where  the 
wrong  was  done  as  near  as  possible.  After  each  charge 
is  set  forth  in  alphabetical  order  in  consecutively  num- 
bered specifications,  close  the  accusation  as  follows:  All 
of  whicii  the  accuser  above  named  avers  to  be  ready  and 
able  to  prove  and   verify  by  good  and   sufficient  evidence. 

If  the  accusation  is  brought  by  order  of  a  judicatory 
in  the  name  of  the  Reformed  Church  it  is  signed: 

]       Committee  appointed 

for  the  prosecution  of 

I    this    case    by    


J 
37 


[Here   state   the    judicatory 
ordering    the    prosecution.] 


If  the  accusation  is  brought  by  an  individual,  he  or 
she  signs  the  accusation,  but  in  that  case  the  heading  of 
the  accusation   must  be  as  follows: 

1  ACCUSATION 
brought  before  Spirit- 
ual Council  of  (or  as 
the      case      may      be) 


[Here    state   name    in    full 
of  Accused.] 


Against 


[Here    state   name    in    full 


of    Accuser.]  J    ^     -^     ^^ 


Classis  of  the  Re- 
formed Church.  The 
day    of    


I, the    accuser    in    this    ac- 
cusation  brought   by   me   against 

the  accused  before    do 

[Here    state    the  judicatory.] 

hereby  state,  that  I  am  a  member  in  good  stand- 

ig    in    Reformed    Church    at 

having  last  communed  at  the 

communion  celebrated  in  said  Church  on 

last  passed  and  being  a  regular  contributor  to 
said  church ;  that  before  bringing  this  accusa- 
tion, the  law  of  the  church  as  laid  down  in  Ar- 
ticle 139  of  the  constitution,  was  duly  observed 
by  the  accuser,  but  the  offer  was  not  accepted 
by  the  accused,  and  that  I  have  good  and  suffi- 
cient reason  to  believe  the  facts  set  forth  in  the 
following  charges  to  be  true  and  correct,  and 
that  I  am  not  actuated  by  malice  or  ill-will  in 
making  the  charges   herein  contained. 

And   now,   I,   the   said accuser   say, 


Charge  A.     That  he,  the  accused, 
is  guilty  of    

Spec.  I.     In   this,   that   he   did... 
38 


Accusations   based    upon    an    investigation    had 
upon  evil  rumors: 

The  Reformed  Church   ^  ACCUSATION 

in    the    United           j  upon    investigation    of 

States                    I  Evil    Rumors    brought 

Against  i    before     ..    

I     1  he   day  of 

"[Name  of  Accused.]           J  A.    D.    19.  .  .  . 

Whereas,  the   Spiritual  Council  of 

at    (or    Classis 

of  the   Reformed   Church)    were 

credibly  informed,  that  evil  rumors  were  in  cir- 
culation   against    a    

of   at    that  he,  the 

said    is   guilty  of    

Whereupon  the  said  Spiritual  Council  ( or 
Classis)   having  proper  jurisdiction  in  the  matter 

did    convene   in    special    session    in at 

on  the   day  of 

A.  D.  19.  . .  .  said  meeting  being  legally  called 
for  the  purpose,  did  then  and  there  appoint 
a    committee   to    investigate 

[Here  insert  the   names  of   committee.] 

said  rumors  and  make  report  of  their  investiga- 
tion   to    said    and    did 

[Classis  or   Spiritual   Council.] 

then  and  there  adjourn  to  meet  on 

day  of   A.  D.  19 in 

at    to   hear   said   report   and   did 

meet  in  accordance  with  said  adjournment  at 
which  meeting  the  aforesaid  committee  did  re- 
port that  they  have  investigated  the  evil  rumors 

aforesaid   in   circulation  against  the   said 

and  find  tliem  to  be  extensively  cir- 
culated in  the  neighborhood  where  he  lives,  well 
tounded,  permanent  and  not  transient  and  ac- 
compared  with  strong  presumption  of  truth 
39 


that  he,  the   said    is  guilty  of 

,    whereupon    the    said 

[Here  state  the  names  of  the  offenses.] 

Classis    (or Spiritual   Council)    did 

appoint    members    of    the    Re- 
formed Church  a  committee  to  bring  accusation 

against  the  said And  now  the 

said    committee    in    the    name    of    the    Reformc  . 
Church  in  the  United   States  do  say, 


Charge  A.    That   he,   the   said., 
is   guilty  of    

Spec.  I.     In    this    that    he    did, 


FORMS   OF   COMPLAINT. 

To    the    Elders    of    the    Spiritual    Council    of 

Reformed    Church    at 

County   of    State    of 

Complaint    of 

complainant  ']       And    now    

Against  \  A.  D.  19.  . . . 

defendant    [  The  petition  of 

Pastor    of    said I     

Church.  J    respectfully    sets    forth 

I.)     That  3''0ur  petitioner  is  a  member  in  good 

and    regular    standing   of Reformed 

Church    and   congregation    at    

2.)  That  your  petitioner  is  the  father  of  - 
male  child  born  to  him  in  lawful  wedlock  on  the 
day    of    A.    D.    19.... 

3.)  That  the  defendant  although  repeatedly 
thereunto  requested,  has  refused  or  neglected  to 
40 


perform  the  holy  rite  of  baptism  upon  said  child, 
as  he  is  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  duty 
bound  to  do. 

Your  petitioner  therefore  prays  your  reverend 

body  to  cite  the  Rev to  appear  before 

you  on  a  day  certain  to  answer  this  complaint, 
giving  him   due  notice  together  w^ith   a   copy   of 
this  complaint,   and   your  petitioner   awaits   your 
proper  action  and  notice  in  the  matter. 
Most  respectfully, 


LSiguature  of  pLtilioncr.] 


To    the    Reverend    Fathers    and    Brethren    of 

Classis   of  the   Reformed   Church 

in  the   United   States. 

Complaint  of 

complainant  >, 

Against 

[Here   give  the  names.] 


And  now 

A.  D.  19. 


The       Consistory       of    {  ^^e     P^^^^^ifif     by      ns 
Reformed  congregation       ^.V^^T.^.u  ^^^P^^^^^^^^ 


of    

defendant 


sets     forth. 


I.)     That    your    petitioner    is    the    pastor     of 

charge   of    which    

Reformed    congregation    at    

is  a  component  part. 

2.)     That    the    Consistory     (the     Elders     and 

Deacons)    of    said congregation 

have    joined    in    a    call    to    the    petitioner    dated 

A.    D.    19....    in    which    the    annual 

salary  of  the  pastor  is   stipulated  at 

dollars  of  which   said  defendants   agreed  to  pay 

the    one-half,    viz. : dollars,   per 

year,  payable  quarterly. 
41 


3-)  That  the  said  defendants  have  failed  to 
collect  and  to  pay  over  to  your  petitioner  the 
said    annual    salary    as    they    agreed    to    do    and 

that   the   sum   of dollars   is   due   to 

the    petitioner    from    them    up    to    the    close    of 
last  quarter day  of    A.  D.  19 

Your  petitioner  therefore  prays  your  reverend 

body  to .  cite   Elders  and 

Deacons   of   said    

Reformed  Church  to  appear  before  you  on  a 
day  certain  to  answer  this  complaint  giving  them 
due  notice  together  with  a  copy  of  this  com- 
plaint and  your  petitioner  waits  your  proper 
orders  and  notice  in  the  matter. 
Most   respectfully, 


[Signature  of  petitioner.] 


To    the    Reverend    Fathers    and     Brethren    of 

Synod   of   the  Reformed   Church 

in  the  United  States. 

Confplaint  of 

complainant  "]       And  now 


Against  j  A.  D.  19 

Classis     of    f  The     plaintiff     by     his 

the   Reformed   Church,    I  petition         respectfully 

defendant.  J  sets    forth. 

T.)  That  he  is  an  ordained  minister  in  good 
standing  in  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 

States   and  in Classis   of   said 

Church  standing  in  connection  with  said  Classis 
since    day   of A.   D.   19 

2.)     That  your  petitioner  desires  to  remove  to 

the  State  of and  within  the  bounds 

and  jurisdiction  of Classis,  has 

therefore    requested    said Classis    to 

issue  to  him  an  honorable  dismission  to  said 
42 


Clcissis  which  said , 

Classis  failed  to  do. 

Whereof  your  petitioner  complains  and  there- 
fore prays  your  reverend  body  to  cite  said 

Classis  through  its  proper  officers  or 

representatives  to  appear  before  your  reverend 
body  to  be  assembled  in  regular  annual   session 

on  the day  of  A.  D.  19. . . 

in  Reformed  Church  at  

to  answer  this  complaint  and  to  show  cause  why 
the  humble  request  of  your  petitioner  above 
stated  should  not  be  granted  to  him,  giving  due 
notice  together  with  a  copy  of  this  complaint  to 

the  proper  officers  of  said  Classis 

and  your  petitioner  awaits  proper  orders  and 
notice  in  the  matter. 

Most  respectfully, 


[Signature  of  petitioner.] 

Complaint  may  be  brought  in  any  of  the  preceding 
forms  liy  any  member  or  minister  of  the  Church,  before 
any  nf  t!ie  church  judicatories,  in  matters  concerning  the 
Church. 


CITATION  OF  AN  ACCUSED  PERSON. 

Citation  to  be  served  on  defendants,  in  accusa- 
tions or  in  complaints : 

FORM  OF  CITATION, 

Whereas,    Charges    (or   complaint)    were    (or 
was)  lodged  with  the  President  (or  Stated  Clerk 

or   Secretary)    of   

[Here  insert  the  title   of  the  judicatory  to  which  the   ac- 
cusation   or   complaint    is    directed.] 

43 


against  you  a  member  of  (or  tlie 

minister  of)    Reformed  Church  at 

(or   in   case   of   a   complaint 

against  a  judicatory  insert  its  title)  a  correct 
copy  whereof  is  hereto  attached. 

Now,  in  pursuance  of  the  requirement  of  the 
Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  that  is  sent  to  cite  you  to  be  and 
to  appear  before    

[Here   insert   the   title  of  the  judica- 
tory  issuing   the   summons.] 

assembled  in  special  (or  regular  annual)  ses- 
sion in  the   

[Here  insert  the  place  and  date  of  the  meeting  of  the 
judicatory  for  trial  describing  place  so  it  can  easily  be 
found,  and  give   the  hour  of  the   opening  of  session.] 

to  answer  the  charges  (or  complaint)  aforesaid; 
and  then  and  there  present  all  matters  of  plea 
and  defense  proper  and  in  order. 

By  order  and  authority  of  the   

[Here  insert  the  title  of  judicatory  issuing  this.] 

at this day  of 

A.  D.  19. . . 

Secretary,  President  or  Stated  Clerk. 

Note. — The  second  citation  of  the  person  accused  shall 
be  the  same  in  form  as  the  first  citation  excepting  the 
necessary  change  of  date.  The  following  paragrapli  shall 
also  be  added:  "This  being  your  second  citation  you  are 
hereby  informed  that  if  you  refuse  to  appear  you  shall 
not  only  be  liable  to  censure  for  contumacy,  but  the 
judicatory  may  proceed  with  the  investigation  and  deci- 
sion of  the  case  as  tliough  you  were  present;  in  wliich 
case  the  judicatory  shall  appoint  some  person  or  persrnr. 
to  represent  you  as  counsel"  (Art  144  of  the  Consti" 
tution). 

44 


MATTERS  TO  BE  OBSERVED  IN  SERV- 
ING A  CITATION. 

(See  Articles   143  and  144  of  the  Constitution.) 

Make  two  copies  of  the  citation.  Attach  to 
each  copy  thereof  a  copy  of  the  accusation  or 
complaint.  Both  copies  should  be  placed  into 
the  hands  of  the  person  who  is  to  serve  it  on 
the  accused.  He  must  compare  the  two  copies 
and  all  further  copies  before  service,  so  that  he 
may  know  that  the  copies  are  correct.  Service 
is  made  by  handing  to  the  accused  a  copy  of  the 
citation  and  accusation  or  complaint  attached,  or 
by  leaving  them  at  his  present  or  last  known 
place  of  residence  with  an  adult  member  of  the 
family  or  household,  or  where  this  cannot  be 
done,  by  mailing  them  in  a  registered  letter. 

The  person  who  served  the  papers  shall  write 
on  the  outside  of  the  original  copy  he  retained, 

"Served  on  the  within  named 

on  the day  of A.  D.  19. . . , 

by  personally  handing  him  (her  or  each  of  them) 
a  true  and  correct  copy  of  this  citation  and  accu- 
sations (or  complaint)  attached,  (or  by  leaving 
at  his,  her  or  their  last  known  place  of  resi- 
dence, with  an  adult  member  of  the  family  or 
household,  or  by  sending  him  a  registered  letter 
addressed  as  follows ,  with  a  true  and  cor- 
rect copy  of  this  citation  and  accusation  (or 
complaint)  thereto  attached."  He  signs  this  and 
is  sworn  to  it  before  a  Notary  Public  or  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  who  certifies  to  the  oath.  The 
papers  are  then  to  be  immediately  returned  to 
the  officer  who  issued  them. 

In    case    of    complaint    against    a    Consistory, 
Spiritual  Council,  Classis  or  Synod  service  upon 
the  Secretary,  Stated  Clerk  or  President  thereof 
45 


is  sufficient.  A  citation  must  be  served  at  least 
ten  days  before  the  trial,  but  it  is  advisable  to 
serve  it  from  fifteen  to  thirty  days  before  trial 
if  the  case  is  to  be  heard  by  a  Classis  or  Synod, 
so  as  to  give  all  parties  time  for  preparation. 
The  accuser  or  complainant  must  also  be  noti- 
fied of  the  time  and  place  of  the  trial  at  least 
ten  days  previous. 


FORM  OF  CITATION  OF  A  WITNESS. 

A  citation  of  a  witness  is  served  in  the  same  manner 
as  a  citation  of  an  accused  person.  (See  Article  143 
of  Constitution). 

To    

[Here  insert  the  names  of  the  witnesses  you  want.] 

You  are  hereby  cited  to  be  and  appear  be- 
fore    

[Here  insert  the  judicatory  trying  the  case.] 
assembled    in    special    (or    regular    annual)    ses- 
sion    

[Here  insert  time  and  place  of  hearing.] 

Then  and  there  to  testify  all  and  singular  those 
things  of  which  you  shall  know  in  the  matter  of 

charges   (or  complaint)  preferred  by 

[Name  of  accuser  or  complainant.] 

against   

[Name  of  accused.] 

for 

[Here   state  name  of  charge    or  complaint.] 

on  part  of  (accuser  of  accused). 

By  order  of   

[Insert  title  of  judicatory  trying  the  case.] 

A.  D.  19.... 

Signed  by  the  officer  issuing  the  citation,  giving  his  name 
and  official  title. 

46 


FORM   OF  NOTICE   FOR  TAKING  TESTI- 
MONY. 


[isame   of   accuser.] 


ACCUSATION  (or 
complaint)  brought  be- 
fore     

[iitle  or  name.]  t  ^j^^ .  .  .    day    of 

Against  I  A.  D.  19... 

I       [Here  state    judicatory's 

I  title.] 

[Name   of  accused.]  J 

To   

[Insert  name   or   title   of   opposite   party,   its   attor- 
rkey  or  committee.] 

This  is  to  notify  you  that  testimony  will  be 
taken  to  be  read  in  the  hearing  of  the  above 
named    case,    on    part    of    accuser    (or   accused) 

on  the day  of 

A.   D.    19...,  between  the  hours   of    ....    o'clock 
A.  M.  and  ....  o'clock  P.  M.,  of  said  day  before 

a   Notary   Public    (or   a  Justice 

of    the    Peace    or    Commissioner),    at    his    office, 

No Street,  of  

in  the  County  of  State  of  , 

by     which     testimony     said     party     expects     to 
prove    

[Here  insert  briefly  point  in  complaint  you   wish 
to  prove.] 

at  which  time  and  place  you  may  cause  the  wit- 
nesses examined  to  be  cross-examined. 


Signature  of  party,   attorney   or  commit- 
tee  issuing   the    notice. 

Serve  a  copy  of  this  notice  upon  the  opposite  party  at 
least  ten  days  before  the  testimony  is  taken.  Then  prove 
service  as  in  the  case  of  a  citation  on  back  of  original 
notice,  and  send  it  to  the  ofhcer  who  is  to  take  the  testi- 
mony, who  shall  attach  "t  to  the  testimony  and  send  it 
or   hand   it  to  the  party   that  issued   the  notice. 

47 


FORM  OF  TAKING  DEPOSITIONS. 
1 


[Name   of   accuser.] 


I  ACCUSATION        (or 
[Or  title.]  L  coini^laint)    brought  be- 

I  fore    

[The   same  as  in  notice.] 


Against 

[Name   of  accused.]  J 

DEPOSITIONS    OF    WITNESSES. 

Sworn  (or  affirmed)  and  examined  before  me, 
the  undersigned  named  in  notice  hereto  attached, 

at  my  office  at  No Street 

on  the    day  of 

A.  D.   19 

[Name   of  witness.] 
being  produced  on  part  of  accuser   (or  accused) 
after   being   duly   sworn    (or   affirmed)    upon   his 
solemn  oath    (or   affirmation)    deposes   and   says, 

I  reside  at  No Street   

I  am   

[Here  give   occupation.] 

I  am  ....  years  of  age.    I  have  known 

[Record  the  testimony  as  it  falls  from  the  lips  of  witness.] 

[Tf  there  is  cross-examination  mark  it  "Cross-Exami- 
nation."] 

[In    this  manner   proceed   with   each    witness.] 

[If  you  adjourn  to  another  day,  state  the  day  and 
hour  of  adjournment  publicly  and  make  a  record  of  it 
in  the  ord..r  as  it  comes.  Let  each  witness  sign  his 
testimony.  When  all  the  testimony  is  taken  the  officer 
certifies  as   follows:] 

I  do  hereby  certify  that  the  witnesses  herein 
above  named  were  duly  qualified  and  examined 
by  me  at  the  time  and  place  herein  above  stated, 
that  their  testimony  was  reduced  to  writing 
under  my  supervision,  as  stated  by  the  witnesses, 
48 


and    each    witness    signed    his    depositions    in    my 
presence. 

Signature  of  Notary   or  Justice   or   Com- 
missioner, and  seal   if   he  has  one. 

[Attach  all  the  papers — notice,  depositions  and  exhibits 
or  documentary  evidence  produced,  and  deliver  them  to 
the  person  that  issued  the  notice.] 


FROM  OF  OATH. 

The  witness  holding  up  the  right  hand,  the  person  ad- 
ministering the  oath  shall  say   to  the   witness: 

"You  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  the 
testimony  you  shall  give  in  the  matter  now  in 
hearing  before  us  shall  be  the  truth,  the  whole 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  and  that  as 
you  shall  answer  to  God  at  the  great  day." 

[The  witnesses  are  to  be  sworn  or  affirmed  by  the 
president  or  by  any  member  of  the  body  whom  he  shall 
appoint.] 


CERTIFICATE  OF  A  TRANSCRIPT  FROM 
THE  RECORD. 

This  is  to  certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true 
and  correct  transcript  from  the  records  of 

[Here  insert   the   title   of  the  judicatory   from    whose   rec- 
ords the  transcript   is  made.] 

in  the  above  stated  case,  of  all  the  proceeilings 
had  by  said  judicatory  in  said  case  (or  if  it  is 
only  part  of  the  record  state  what  part). 

Witness   my   hand    (and   seal   if   there   is   one) 

this  day  of  A.  D.  19.  . . 

at 


Name  and  title  of  officer  who  made  the  transcript, 

4  49 


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53 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS  OF  A  CLASSIS. 


Article 

I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 


VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XL 

XII. 

XTIT. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI. 
XVII. 


XVIII. 


Religious  Services. 
Calling  of  the  Roll. 
Election  of  Officers. 
Defining  the  Bar  of  the  House. 
Fixing  the   Hours  of  Meeting  and   Ad- 
journing. 
Appointment   of   Standing   Committees. 


On  Religious    Services. 

On  INIinutes   of   General   Synod. 

On  Minutes  of  District   Synod. 

On  jNIinutes  of   Classes. 

On  Overtures. 

On  Examination  and   Licensure. 

On  Missions — Home   and    Foreign. 

On  Ilenevolent    Institutions. 

On  Sunday   Schools. 

On  Nominations. 

On  State   of   the   Church. 

On  Finance. 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 

Communications. 

Parochial  Reports. 

Report  of  the  Treasurer. 

Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 

Appeals  and  References. 

Complaints. 

Nominations    and    Elections. 

Appointment     of     an     Executive     Com- 
mittee. 

Miscellaneous  Reports  and  Other   Busi- 
ness. 

Necrology. 

Resumption  and  Close. 

\     Calling  of  the  Roll. 

2.     Reading.    Correction    and    Adoption 
of  Minutes. 

Adjournment. 

54 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS  OF  A  SYNOD. 


Articli 

I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 


VIT. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XTII. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI. 
XVII. 


XVIII. 


Religious   Services. 
Calling  of  the  Roll. 
Election  of  Officers. 
Defining  the  Bar  of  the  House. 
Fixing  the  Hours  of  Meeting  and   Ad- 
journing. 

Appointment   of   Standing   Committees. 


10. 

11. 

12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 


On    Religious    Services. 

On    Minutes   of   General    Synod. 

On   Minutes  of  District   Synod. 

On   Minutes  of  Classes. 

On   Overtures. 

On    Educational   Institutions. 

On    Missions — Home  and   Foreign. 

On   Publication. 

On    Benevolent   Institutions. 

On  Sundav  Schools. 

On   Nominations. 

On   State  of  the  Church. 

On    Finance. 

On   Press. 

On  Advisory  Members. 


Reports  of  Boards  and  Communications. 

Report  of  the  Treasurer. 

Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 

Appeals  and  References. 

Complaints. 

Nominations   and   Elections. 

Church   Government. 

Synodical  Archives. 

Miscellaneous  Reports  and  Other   Busi- 
ness. 
Necrology. 
Resumption  and  Close. 

1.  Calling  of  the  Roll. 

2.  Reading,    Correction    and    Adoption 

of  Minutes. 
Adjournment. 

55 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS  OF  GENERAL 
SYNOD. 

Article 

I.     Religious   Services. 
II.     Determining  the  Presence  of  a  Quorum. 

III.  Election  of  Officers. 

IV.  Defining  the  Bar  of  the  House. 

V.     Fixing  the   Hours  of  Meeting  and   x\d- 
journing. 
VI.     Appointment   of   Standing   Committees. 

1.  On  Religious    Services. 

2.  On  Minutes    of   General   Synod. 

3.  On  Minutes  of  District   Synod. 

4.  On  Minutes  of   Classes. 

5.  On  Overtures. 

6.  On  Correspondence  with    Sister  Churches. 

7.  On  State  of  the  Church. 
On  Missions — Home   and   Foreign. 
On  Orphan   Homes. 
On  Ministerial    Relief. 
On  Sunday   Schools. 
On  Societies. 
On  Nominations. 
On  Finance. 
On  Press. 
On  Advisory   Memhers. 

of   the    Boards    and    Communi- 


8. 

9. 
10. 
It. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 

ir.. 
YU.     Reports 
cations. 
VIIT.     Report  of  the  Treasurer. 

IX.     Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 
X.     Appeals   and  References. 
XT.     Complaints. 

XTT.     Nominations  and  Elections. 
X/f'T.     Church   Government. 
XIV.     Appointment   of   a   Judicial    Committee. 

XV.     Synodical  Archives. 
XVT.     Publication. 
^^"^^TT.     Miscellaneous  Reports  and  Other  Busj- 
XVIII.     Necrology.  [ness. 

XIX.     Resumption    and    Close. 

1.  Calling  of  the  Roll. 

2.  Reading,    Correction    and    .Adoption 
XX.     Adjournment.  [of  Minutes. 

56 


THE  RULES  OF  ORDER. 

I.      ORGANIZATION. 

1.  The  president  shall  take  the  chair  at  the 
hour  to  which  the  judicatory  stands  adjourned 
or  is  summoned  to  meet,  and  shall  immediately 
call  the  members  to  order  and  open  the  session 
with  the  prescribed  religious  services. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  president  the  stated 
clerk  shall  call  the  members  to  order  and  put  in 
nomination  a  president  pro  tcm.,  who  shall  pre- 
side until  the  president  takes  his  place  or  until 
an  election  has  been  held.  Should  the  president 
and  the  stated  clerk  both  be  absent,  the  oldest 
minister  in  attendaiice  shall  preside. 

3.  The  roll  shall  then  be  called,  on  which  the 
names  of  all  those  entitled  to  a  seat  and  having 
proper  credentials  shall  have  been  entered  and 
about  whose  right  there  is  no  contest.  If  a 
quorum  is  present,  the  judicatory  shall  proceed 
to  business;  but  if  not,  any  two  members  present 
may  adjourn  from  time  to  time  to  give  oppor- 
tunity for  a  quorum  to  assemble. 

4.  If  a  contest  Is  made  as  to  the  right  of  any 
one  claiming  a  seat,  or  if  there  are  present  two 
or  more  sets  of  delegates  from  a  lower  judica- 
tory, the  matter  shall  at  once  be  referred  to  a 
committee  which  shall  examine  into  the  case  and 
shall  report  within  twenty-four  hours  after  its 
appointment. 

5.  As  soon  as  an  organization  has  been  fully 
effected  an  election  shall  be  held  for  such  officers 
as  may  be  required  by  the  Constitution  of  the 
Church  or  the  custom  of  the  judicatory.  When 
two  or  more  persons  are  nominated  for  an  office, 
a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  shall  be  required 
for  an  election. 

6.  Immediately     after     the     organization     the 

57 


president  shall  define  the  bar  of  the  house  and 
no  one  outside  of  its  limits  shall  have  the  privi- 
leges of  a  member  of  the  judicatory. 

7.  A  quorum  to  transact  business  in  any  judi- 
catory of  the  Church  shall  consist  of  the  number 
of  members  required  by  the  Constitution. 

II.      DUTIES    OF    THE    PRESIDENT. 

8.  When  the  president  has  opened  the  session 
and  found  a  quorum  present  after  the  first  day, 
he  shall  cause  the'  minutes  of  the  preceding  day 
to  be  read,  and,  if  necessary,  to  be  corrected, 
when  he  shall  declare  them  approved;  and  be- 
fore the  final  adjournment  the  remaining  pro- 
ceedings shall  be  read  and  corrected ;  and  when 
no  further  corrections  are  required  the  president 
shall  say:  "Shall  the  minutes  be  now  approved?" 
If  no  objections  are  made,  he  shall  declare  them 
to  stand  approved. 

9.  He  shall  preserve  order,  guard  against  a 
violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  and 
the  rules  of  order,  and  endeavor  to  conduct  all 
business  to  a  speedy  and  proper  conclusion. 

ID.  He  shall,  as  soon  as  possible  after  the 
organization  has  been  effected,  appoint  the  sev- 
eral standing  committees  required  for  the  prompt 
accomplishment  of  the  business  before  the  judi- 
catory ;  and,  unless  otherwise  provided  for,  he 
shall  appoint  all  special  committees  that  may  be 
called  for  in  the  process  of  business. 

11.  He  shall  keep  exact  account  of  all  items 
of  business  that  have  been  laid  over  or  assigned 
to  a  particular  day  and  call  them  up  at  the  proper 
time. 

12.  He  shall  receive  all  minutes,  reports,  com- 
munications, etc.,  addressed  to  or  intended  for 
the  judicatory,  and  with  its  consent  refer  them  to 
the  appropriate  committees. 

58 


13.  He  shall  sign  the  minutes  and  all  ad- 
dresses or  circulars,  etc.,  issued  by  the  judica- 
tory ;  and  shall  decide  all  questions  of  order  sub- 
ject to  an  appeal  to  the  judicatory  by  any  two 
members. 

14.  He  may  state  a  question  sitting,  but  shall 
rise  to  put  it  and  shall  say:  "As  many  as  are 
in  favor  (as  the  question  may  be)  say  'aye.'" 
After  the  affirmation  is  expressed  he  shall  say : 
"As  many  as  are  opposed  say  'no.'  "  If  he  is 
in  doubt  as  to  the  results  or  a  division  is  called 
for,  those  voting  in  the  affirmative  shall  rise, 
stand,  and  be  counted;  after  which  those  voting 
in  the  negative  shall  also  rise,  stand,  and  be 
counted.  The  president  &hall  then  announce  the 
result. 

15.  When  a  vote  is  taken  by  ballot  in  any 
judicatory,  the  president  shall  vote  with  the  other 
members ;  but  he  shall  not  vote  in  any  other 
case,  unless  the  judicatory  is  equally  divided; 
when,  if  he  does  not  choose  to  vote,  the  ques- 
tion shall  be  lost. 

in.      DUTIES    OF    THE    STATED    CLERK. 

16.  The  stated  clerk  shall  have  prepared  in 
advance  of  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  judica- 
tory a  complete  roll  of  its  members,  and,  as  soon 
as  possible,  perfect  a  roll  of  those  members  pres- 
ent for  the  use  of  the  president.  Whenever  any 
additional  members  take  their  seats,  he  shall  add 
their  names,  in  their  proper  places,  to  the  said 
roll. 

17.  He  shall  make  correct  and  concise  minutes 
of  all  proceedings  of  the  judicatory  and  carefully 
preserve  them.  He  shall,  if  required,  prepare  a 
correct  and  authenticated  copy  of  the  minutes 
and  transmit  them  in  due  time  to  the  higher 
judicatory  for  review.    He  shall  read  all  papers 

59 


by  order  of  the  president,  shall  publish  due  no- 
tice of  the  time  and  place  of  all  stated  meetings, 
and,  by  order  of  the  president,  of  all  special 
meetings. 

i8.  A  memorial,  communication,  or  other 
paper  confided  to  his  care  shall  not  be  withdrawn 
from  the  files  without  the  warrant  of  the  judica- 
tory. 

19.  He  shall  make,  for  convenient  reference, 
a  digest  of  the  legislative  actions  and  of  all  de- 
cisions made  on  constitutional  questions  or  on 
the  rules  of  order  by  the  judicatory. 

IV.      THE   ORDER   OF   BUSINESS. 

20.  After  the  minutes  have  been  read  and 
approved,  an  opportunity  shall  be  given  to  an- 
nounce the  presence  of  recently  arrived  members 
or  of  secundi  in  order  that  they  may  be  recog- 
nized. 

21.  Business  unfinished  at  a  previous  session 
shall  be  taken  up  first,  unless  a  special  order  has 
been   set  for  that  hour. 

22.  Reports  from  permanent  committees  shall 
have  precedence,  unless  a  matter  has  been  set  for 
a  special  hour. 

V.      MEMBERS — THEIR    RIGHTS    AND    DUTIES. 

23.  Every  member  shall  be  present  within  the 
bar  of  the  house  while  the  judicatory  is  in  ses- 
sion, unless  excused  or  necessarily  prevented, 
and  shall  vote  on  each  question  put,  unless  pre- 
viously excused,  or  unless  he  has  a  direct  per- 
sonal or  pecuniary  interest  in  the  determination 
of  such  question. 

24.  Every  member,  in  speaking,  shall  rise  and 
address  himself  respectfully  to  the  president,  and, 
having  been  recognized,  shall  proceed  to  address 
the  judicatory.  He  shall  treat  the  president  and 
his    fellow-members   with   decorum   and   respect, 


shall  confine  himself  to  the  subject  under  discus- 
sion, and  shall  avoid  all  personalities. 

25.  During  the  transaction  of  business  mem- 
bers shall  not  engage  in  private  conversation ;  in 
debate  they  shall  not  address  themselves  to  any 
one  save   the  president. 

26.  When  two  or  more  members  rise  at  the 
same  time,  the  president  shall  name  the  one  who 
is  to  speak  first,  A  member  shall  not  speak  on  the 
same  question  more  than  twice,  nor  longer  than 
one-half  hour  unless  by  consent  of  the  body.  The 
chairman  of  a  committee,  however,  may  open  and 
close  when  general  debate  has  been  had  on  a  mo- 
tic  n  reported  by  him.  A  member  who  has  spoken 
on  the  main  question  may  speak  again  on  an 
amendment. 

27.  When  a  member,  in  speaking  or  otherwise, 
shall  transgress  the  rules  of  order  or  deviate 
from  the  subject  under  discussion  or  in  any  way 
act  disorderly,  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of  any 
member,  and  the  duty  of  the  president,  to  call 
him  to  order.  He  shall  take  his  seat  immediately, 
unless  perrnitted  to  explain,  when,  if  the  judica- 
tory is  satisfied,  he  may  proceed  in  order;  but 
if  the  case  requires  it,  he  shall  be  liable  to  cen- 
sure or  reprimand. 

28.  A  speaker  shall  not  be  interrupted  unless 
with  his  permission,  or  when  he  is  out  of  order, 
or  for  the  purpose  of  correcting  mistakes  or 
misrepresentations. 

29.  While  the  president  is  putting  a  question 
or  a  member  is  speaking,  members  shall  not  pass 
between  the  president  and  the  speaker  or  walk 
across  the  floor. 

30.  A  motion  can  not  be  made  while  a  member 
is  speaking  or  after  the  president  has  begun  to 
take  a  vote. 

31.  A  member  may  change  his  vote  before  the 

61 


president  has  announced  the  result,  or  afterward 
in  case  it  does  not  afifect  the  result. 

VI.      COMMITTEES — THEIR    POWERS. 

2,2.  The  first-named  member  of  each  commit- 
tee shall  be  the  chairman,  unless  the  committee 
prefers  to  elect  their  own  chairman.  In  the  ab- 
sence of  the  first-named  member  or  in  the  event 
of  his  refusal  to  preside,  the  second  member  of 
the  committee  shall  take  his  place ;  the  same 
order  of  succession  is  to  be  followed  as  often 
as  a  vacancy  occurs. 

ZZ-  A  committee  to  whom  papers  have  been 
referred  shall  return  them  with  its  report;  and 
a  paper  can  not  go  before  a  committee  or  become 
matter  for  its  action,  unless  it  has  been  properly 
referred  to  it. 

34.  A  majority  of  a  committee  shall  consti- 
tute a  quorum  and  it  alone  can  make  a  report. 
A  minority  may  submit  its  views  in  writing,  or 
any  member  may  submit  a  motion  that  contains 
the  view  of  the  minority. 

35.  A  committee  may  appoint  one  or  more 
sub-committees  in  order  to  facilitate  its  work 
by  thus  distributing  it  among  its  several  mem- 
bers, but  the  final  report  must  come  from  the 
whole  committee. 

2,6.  When  a  special  committee  has  made  its 
report  and  it  is  received,  the  committee  is  by 
this  act  discharged.  A  report,  however,  may  be 
recommitted ;  or  the  committee  may  be  reap- 
pointed for  another  purpose. 

27.  A  judicatory  may  at  any  time  resolve  it- 
self into  a  committee  of  the  whole  to  consider 
any  special  matter,  whereupon  the  president  shall 
name  some  one  to  preside,  and  vacate  the  chair. 
Such  committee  may  rise  at  any  time,  after 
which  the  president  shall  resume  the  chair  and 
62 


the  chairman  of  the  committee  shall  report  its 
action,  or  report  progress  and  ask  leave  to  sit 
again. 

VII.      MOTIONS — THEIR     PRECEDENCE. 

38.  Every  motion  made  to  a  judicatory  and 
entertained  by  the  president  shall,  on  the  demand 
of  any  member,  be  reduced  to  writing.  The 
president  shall  state  the  question  or  cause  it  to 
be  read  by  the  stated  clerk  before  it  is  debated. 
It  shall  then  be  in  possession  of  the  house,  but 
may  be  withdrawn  at  any  time  before  it  has  been 
amended  or  a  decision  has  been  taken  on  it. 

39.  When  a  question  is  under  debate,  a  mo- 
tion shall  not  be  entertained  excepting  it  is  one 
of  the  following  motions : 

a.  To  adjourn. 

b.  To  take  recess. 

c.  To  lay  on  the  table. 

d.  To  take  the  previous  question. 

e.  To  postpone  to  a  certain  day. 
•            /.  To  refer  or  commit. 

g.     To  amend. 

Ii.  To  postpone  indefinitely. 
These  several  motions  shall  have  precedence 
in  the  order  named ;  and  a  motion  to  refer,  to 
postpone  to  a  certain  day,  or  to  postpone  indefi- 
nitely, having  been  decided,  shall  not  be  enter- 
tained again  on  the  same  day  at  the  same  stage 
of  the  question. 

40.  If  a  motion  under  debate  contains  several 
parts,  any  member  may  request  its  division  and 
a  question  shall  be  taken  on  each  part.  A  mo- 
tion to  strike  out  and  insert  is  not  divisible. 

41.  A    subject,    which    has    been    indefinitely 
postponed  either  by  the  operation  of  the  previous 
question  or  by  a  motion  for  indefinite  postpone 
jnent  or  by  a  motion  to  lay  on  the  table  uncon- 

63 


ditionally,  shall  not  again  be  called  up  during 
the  same  sessions  of  the  judicatory,  unless  by 
the  consent  of  three-fourths  of  the  members 
who  were  present  at  the  decision. 

42.  When  different  motions  are  made  with 
respect  to  filling  blanks,  the  longest  time  and  the 
largest  sum  shall  be  put  first. 

43.  A  motion  shall  not  be  considered  as  be- 
fore the  House  unless  it  has  been  seconded  and 
the  mover  recognized  by  the  president. 

VIII.      AMENDMENTS. 

44.  When  a  motion  or  proposition  is  under 
consideration,  a  motion  to  amend  and  a  motion 
to  amend  that  amendment  shall  be  in  order,  and 
it  shall  also  be  in  order  to  offer  a  further  amend- 
ment in  the  form  of  a  substitute  for  the  entire 
proposition,  and  to  this  substitute  an  amendment 
may  be  offered  which  shall  not  be  voted  upon, 
however,  until  the  original  motion  is  perfected. 

45.  A  motion  to  amend  cannot  be  modified 
after  the  previous  question  has  been  seconded. 

46.  An  amendment  to  the  rules  of  order  shall 
not  be  entertained,  unless  it  has  been  seconded 
by  a  majority  of  the  members  present. 

IX.      RECONSIDERATION. 

47.  When  a  motion  or  resolution  has  been 
offered  and  carried  or  has  been  lost,  it  shall  be 
in  order  for  any  member,  who  has  voted  with 
the  majority,  to  move  on  the  same  or  succeeding 
day  a  reconsideration  of  it.  Such  a  motion  shall 
take  precedence  of  all  motions,  excepting  the 
motion  to  adjourn  or  to  take  recess. 

48.  A  motion  to  reconsider  is  not  debatable, 
unless  the  question  proposed  to  be  reconsidered 
was  debatable. 

64 


X.      THE   PREVIOUS  QUESTION. 

49.  The  previous  question  on  any  motion, 
after  a  reasonable  time  has  been  allowed  to  dis- 
cuss it,  may  be  called.  The  call,  to  be  enter- 
tained, must  be  made  by  at  least  one-fifth  of  the 
members  present  rising  m  their  places  for  the 
purpose.  The  previous  question  shall  be  pre- 
sented in  the  following  form :  "Shall  the  main 
question  noiv  he  put"?  And,  until  it  is  decided, 
it  shall  preclude  all  further  amendments  or  de- 
bate on  the  main  question.  The  effect  of  this 
motion,  when  sustained,  shall  be  to  bring  the 
judicatory  to  a  direct  vote  on  all  the  amend- 
ments then  pending,  in  their  proper  order  and 
on  the  main  question  itself. 

50.  The  previous  question  shall  apply  in  ques- 
tions of  privilege  as  in  motions  generally. 

XL      QUESTIONS    OF    PRIVILEGE. 

51.  Questions  of  privilege  shall  be:  i.  Those 
affecting  the  rights  of  the  judicatory  collectively; 
its  safety,  dignity,  and  the  integrity  of  its  pro- 
ceedings. 2.  The  rights,  the  reputation,  and 
conduct  of  the  members  individually  in  their 
representative  capacity.  They  shall  have  prece- 
dence of  all  questions  except  to  adjourn  and  to 
take  recess. 

52.  It  shall  not  be  a  matter  of  privilege  to 
have  received  and  entered  upon  the  minutes  a 
protest  of  a  member  or  members  against  the 
action  of  a  judicatory. 

52.  The  ayes  and  nays  on  any  question  shall 
be  recorded  when  required  by  any  member  who 
dissents   from  the  acts  of  a  judicatory. 

XII.      APPEALS. 

54.     An  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  presi- 
dent on  any  point  of  order  may  be  taken  by  any 
5  05 


member  who  may  briefly  state  the  reasons  for 
his  appeal,  to  which  the  president  may  reply  if 
he  deem  it  needful.  The  vote  shall  then  be  taken 
without  further  debate.  The  form  of  stating  the 
question  shall  be :  "Shall  the  decision  of  the 
chair  stand  as  the  decision  of  this  judicatory^' 

55.  A  question  of  appeal  cannot  be  recon- 
sidered after  other  business  has  been  done. 

56.  An  appeal  is  not  in  order  while  another 
appeal  is  pending. 

XIII.      THE    MOTION    TO    LAY    ON    THE   TABLE. 

57.  The  motion  to  lay  on  the  table  may  be 
made  to  consider  more  important  matters,  or  to 
take  up  the  matter  at  a  more  convenient  time, 
or  quickly  to  make  a  final  disposition  of  it. 

58.  This  motion  shall  take  precedence .  of  all 
other  motions  except  the  motion  to  adjourn,  or 
to  take  recess,  and  shall  be  decided  without  de- 
bate. 

59.  All  that  adheres  to  the  subject  of  the  mo- 
tion goes  on  the  table  with  it  except  it  pertains 
to  a  motion  for  correcting  the  minutes. 

60.  When  this  motion  is  made  and  lost,  it 
cannot  be  made  again  until  some  change  has 
been   made   in  the   question   under   consideration. 

61.  When  a  motion  to  lay  on  the  table  has 
been  lost,  it  may  be  reconsidered ;  but  when  a 
motion  to  reconsider  is  laid  on  the  table,  that 
motion  cannot  be  reconsidered. 

XIV.      MISCELLANEOUS. 

62.  The  rules  of  order  may  be  suspended  by 
unanimous  consent. 

63.  A  motion  to  amend  the  rules  of  order 
shall  lie  over  one  day;  and  it  shall  require  a 
two-third  vote  to  carrv  the   amendment. 

'66 


64.  A  judicatory  may  sit  with  closed  doors 
if,  in  its  jud,s:nicnt,  the  matter  under  considera- 
tion requires  it. 

65.  Officers,    delegates    to    higher   judicatories, 
members  of  boards,  etc.,  shall  be  elected  by  bal- 
lot;   but   a  judicatory  may   make   such   elections 
by  acclamation   as   do   not   conflict   with  any  ex-  . 
isting  law. 

(id.  It  shall  be  in  order  to  take  recess  only 
when  a  quorum  is  present. 

(fj.  A  m.otion  to  take  recess  may  be  offered 
while  another  question  is  pending,  or  when  an- 
other member  is  holding  the  floor  providing  he 
gives  his  consent. 

68.  The  motion  to  adjourn,  to  take  recess,  to 
lay  on  the  table,  or  for  the  previous  question, 
shall  be  taken  without  debate. 

69.  The  ayes  and  nays  on  any  question  shall 
be   recorded  on  the   demand  of   any  memlier. 

70.  A  member  shall  not  retire  from  a  judica- 
tory without  the  permission  of  the  president, 
nor  withdraw  from  it  to  return  home  without 
the  consent  of  the  judicatory. 

71.  Before  the  final  adjournment  of  a  judica- 
tory the  roll  shall  be  called,  and  all  members 
absent  without  permission  shall  be  reported  by 
the  stated  clerk  to  the  body  that  they  were  sent 
to  represent. 

y2.  At  the  final  adjournment,  after  the  judica- 
tory has  united  with  the  president  in  the  reneti- 
tion  of  the  creed  and  the  Lord's  prayer,  he  shall 
pronounce  the  apostolic  benediction  and  declare 
the  judicatory  now  adjourned  to  meet  as  ordered. 


67 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Annual  Report  of  Licensure  etc 51 

Call  of  a  Minister - 22 

Call  of  a  Teacher  of  Theology -5 

Certificate  of  Baptism 1* 

Certificate  of  Confirmation 15 

Certificate  of  Dismission 15 

Certificate  of  Licensure 21 

Certificate  of  Marriage !■* 

Certificate  of  Reception  of  Dismissed  Members 10 

Certificate  of  a  Transcript  from  the  Record 40 

Church  Register 1'' 


;} 


Citation  of  an  Accused  Person 

Constitution  of  a  Congregation •— 

Constitution  of  a  Joint  Consistory H 

Credentials  of  Elders  to  Classis  or  Synod 26 

Credentials  of  Delegates  from  Classis  to  Synod 26 

Credentials  of  Delegates  from  Classis  to  General 

Synod 27 

Credentials  of  Delegates  from  General  Synod  to 

Corresponding  Bodies 29 

Credentials  of  Delegates  from  Synod  to  Corre- 
sponding Bodies ~ 29 

Credentials  of  Delegates  to  Alliance  of  Reformed 


Churches. 


30 


Dismission  of  a  Minister 24 

Forms  of  Accusation  against  an  Offender M 

A.— Heresy 31 

B.— Blasphemy 82 

O.— Fraudulency 32 

D.— Creating  Schism 88 

E -Lying 33 

F.— Perjury 84 

G.— Fornication 85 

H— Adultery 86 

69 


PAGR. 

Forms  of  Accusation,  (Continued.) 

1.— Dr.unkenuess 3() 

J.— Profanation  of  the  Lord's 

Day 3fi 

K.— Contentiousness 37 

Form  of  Citation  of  Witness 40 

Form  of  Complaint 40 

Form  of  Notice  for  Taking  Testimony 47 

Form  of  Oath 49 

Form  of  Taking  Depositions 48 

Matters  to  be  Observed  in  Serving  a  Citation 45 

Order  of  Business  of  a  Classis 54 

Order  of  Business  of  a  Synod 55 

Order  of  Business  of  General  Synod 56 

Recommendation  of  a  Student  to  Classis ]<.» 

Recommendation  of  a  Ptudent  by  Classis  to  a 

Theological  Seminary 20 

Reception  of  a  Dismissed  Minister 24 

Roll  of  Ministers  of  Classis 2S 

Statistical  Report 50 

Statistical  Report  of  Sunday  Scl  ool 52 

Statistical  Report  of  Young  People's  Societies 53 

Testimonial  of  Ordination 21 

The  Rules  of  Order ~ 57 

Transfer    of    a    Student    from    one    Classis    to 

Another.. .c... 19 


70 


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